Siraj's Bowling Brilliance Overshadows Smith, Propelling India into a Favorable Position in the Match.
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At the Edgbaston Test, Mohammed Siraj delivered a performance that wrestled the momentum back in favor of India, overshadowing a remarkable counter-attack led by England's Harry Brook and Jamie Smith.

England began Day 3 on a precarious 77/3. Siraj ignited India's hopes early by dismissing Joe Root and captain Ben Stokes in quick succession, leaving England reeling at 84/5. However, the momentum shifted dramatically as Brook and Smith forged a formidable partnership. Their 303-run stand, achieved in just 368 balls, propelled England to 407, handing them a substantial 180-run lead. Brook's innings ended at 158, while Smith remained unbeaten with a superb 184.

Despite the heroics of Brook and Smith, Mohammed Siraj's performance ensured that India remained in control. Siraj ended the day with figures of 6/70, while Akash Deep supported him well with 4/88. After Akash Deep dismissed Brook, Siraj led the charge to dismantle the rest of the English batting order. He trapped Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue LBW with deliveries that nipped back late, showcasing his skill and precision. Akash Deep also contributed by removing Chris Woakes, caught in the cordon. Siraj then completed his six-wicket haul by dismissing Shoaib Bashir, who had earlier been struck on the helmet by a bouncer. Bashir's dismissal marked a milestone as the 10,000th duck in Test cricket. England's innings included six ducks, the most in a 400-plus total in Test history.

India's response in their second innings saw them reach 64/1 at the close of play, extending their lead to 244 runs. KL Rahul (28) and Karun Nair (7) were at the crease, tasked with building a solid foundation for the remaining days of the Test.

Earlier in the day, Jamie Smith reached his century in just 80 balls, the joint third-fastest for England in Test matches. However, India managed to regain some control by restricting the flow of runs. A 6-3 field setting provided the bowlers with some protection, making it harder for the batsmen to score freely. While Brook and Smith continued to bat well, boundaries became harder to come by.

Prasidh Krishna's brief spell of short-pitched deliveries proved expensive, as Smith took him for 23 runs in a single over. Overall, Krishna conceded 61 runs in his eight overs. This period of aggressive batting allowed England to score 172 runs in 27 overs, maintaining a high run rate of 6.37.

Mohammed Siraj's inspired spell of bowling with the second new ball proved to be the turning point. His performance not only brought India back into the game but also highlighted his importance in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.

Looking ahead to Day 4, discussions in the Indian dressing room will likely revolve around setting a target for England.


Writer - Rahul Menon
With a keen interest in sports and community events, Rahul is launching his journalism career by covering stories that unite people. He's focused on developing his reporting skills, capturing the excitement of local competitions and the spirit of community gatherings. Rahul aims to go beyond scores and outcomes, delving into athletes' personal stories and the impact of these events on local culture and morale. His passion for sports drives him to explore the deeper connections within the community.
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