India vs England Test Series 2025: England Lead 2‑1, Day 3 Drama

India vs England Day 3: Can India Spark a Comeback at Old Trafford?

India trails by 133 runs, and needs early breakthroughs to turn the tide at Old Trafford. Can Jasprit Bumrah and Jadeja deliver the spark?

Old Trafford Test: Day 3 Dawns with England in Control, India Seeks a Resurgent Performance

As Day 3 of the highly anticipated 4th Test between India and England commences today, July 25, 2025, at the iconic Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester, the cricketing world watches with bated breath. England concluded Day 2 in a commanding position, having reached a formidable 225 for 2 in their first innings. They now trail India's first innings total of 358 by just 133 runs , a deficit that appears manageable given their aggressive batting display. This strong performance by the hosts has firmly shifted the momentum in their favor, leaving India with a significant challenge to reclaim control and push for a series-leveling victory.

The question echoing across fan bases and expert panels is whether India can engineer a dramatic comeback. With the five-match series delicately poised at 2-1 in England's favor, this Test is a must-win for the visitors to keep their hopes alive for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The morning session of Day 3 will be absolutely crucial. Can India's bowlers, particularly spearheads like Jasprit Bumrah and the wily Ravindra Jadeja, find their rhythm, bag early wickets, and stem the flow of runs? Or will England continue their relentless 'Bazball' approach and build a formidable lead that could decide the fate of the match? This report delves into the strategies, challenges, and key moments that will define India's quest for control on this pivotal day.

Day 2 Recap: England's Batting Dominance and Key Performances

Day 2 at Old Trafford was a tale of two contrasting performances, ultimately tilting heavily in England's favor. India, resuming their first innings at 264 for 4, managed to add crucial runs despite early pressure. Rishabh Pant, displaying immense courage and resilience, batted with a fractured foot to score a commendable 54 runs off 75 balls, pushing India's total beyond 350. Valuable contributions also came from Ravindra Jadeja (20) and a counter-attacking Shardul Thakur (41), who helped India reach a respectable 358 all out in 114.1 overs.

England's bowling attack, led by their captain Ben Stokes, performed admirably to wrap up India's innings. Stokes delivered an inspiring spell, claiming an impressive five-wicket haul (5/72) in 24 overs, his first in Test cricket since 2017. Jofra Archer also contributed significantly with 3 wickets for 73 runs, including the brave Pant's wicket, while Liam Dawson and Chris Woakes picked up a wicket each.

However, the real story of Day 2 unfolded when England came out to bat. Openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley launched a blistering assault on the Indian bowlers, putting together a commanding 166-run partnership off just 192 balls . Their aggressive 'Bazball' approach saw them score at a rapid pace of nearly five runs per over, effectively neutralizing India's new-ball attack and frustrating the Indian camp with their relentless boundary hitting.

• Ben Duckett: Played a magnificent innings of 94 runs off 100 balls , narrowly missing out on a well-deserved century. He showcased his aggressive intent, hitting 13 fours. He was eventually dismissed by debutant Anshul Kamboj, who secured his maiden Test wicket, caught behind by Dhruv Jurel.
• Zak Crawley: Contributed a powerful 84 runs off 113 balls , providing a strong start alongside Duckett. He struck 13 fours and 1 six before falling to Ravindra Jadeja, caught at first slip by KL Rahul, breaking the formidable opening stand.

At stumps on Day 2, England was in a formidable position at 225 for 2 , with Ollie Pope batting on 20 (42 balls) and Joe Root on 11 (27 balls). They successfully negotiated the final overs of the day, leaving India's bowlers searching for answers after a challenging day in the field. India's pacers, including Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, struggled to find consistent rhythm and breakthroughs, allowing England to build momentum without much resistance.

India's Strategy for Day 3: The Path to Spark a Comeback

For India to turn the game around and seize control on Day 3, a multi-pronged and highly disciplined strategy will be absolutely essential. The primary focus must be on taking early wickets, particularly the set batsmen Ollie Pope and Joe Root, who are capable of building massive scores and taking the game away from India.

1. Aggressive and Disciplined Bowling Partnerships: Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, India's premier fast bowlers, need to bowl with pinpoint accuracy and relentless aggression. They must target the stumps, exploit any early morning moisture or swing, and avoid the loose deliveries that England's openers capitalized on. The first hour of play will be crucial for them to make inroads. The team needs to bowl in partnerships, building sustained pressure from both ends to force errors and create wicket-taking opportunities. Debutant Anshul Kamboj, despite picking up a wicket, needs to tighten his lines and lengths.

2. Ravindra Jadeja's Pivotal Role in Spin: As the Old Trafford pitch wears, Ravindra Jadeja's left-arm spin will become increasingly vital. He needs to bowl tight lines, exploit any rough patches that develop, and look for turn and bounce to trouble the English batsmen. His ability to pick up crucial wickets in the middle overs, break partnerships, and control the scoring rate will be key to India's comeback hopes. His exceptional fielding and sharp catching will also be crucial in creating run-out opportunities or taking sharp chances.

3. Strategic Field Settings and Relentless Pressure: Captain Shubman Gill will need to employ aggressive and innovative field settings to build pressure and encourage false shots. Close-in fielders, especially in the slips and gully, will be crucial for catching edges and half-chances that might not carry to the wicketkeeper. Maintaining high energy and intensity in the field will also be paramount to keep England's scoring rate in check and prevent easy singles that allow batsmen to rotate strike and settle.

4. All-Rounder Contributions: Shardul Thakur, known for his knack of picking up wickets at crucial moments, will need to deliver impactful spells. His ability to provide breakthroughs when the main pacers are resting or struggling can be a game-changer. Washington Sundar's off-spin will also be important for control and potentially creating opportunities against England's left-handers. Their ability to contribute with the ball will ease the pressure on the main bowlers and spinners.

5. Batting Resilience in the Second Innings: While the immediate focus is on bowling, India's batsmen must be prepared for a challenging second innings. If England manages to build a significant lead, India's top order will need to show immense resilience and apply themselves to bat for long periods, negating the deficit and setting a competitive target.

Key Players to Watch for India's Comeback

The following Indian players will be instrumental in sparking a turnaround on Day 3:

• Jasprit Bumrah: India's spearhead and one of the world's best fast bowlers. His ability to produce unplayable deliveries, generate reverse swing, and pick up wickets in clusters will be vital. He needs to lead from the front, especially in the crucial morning session.
• Mohammed Siraj: Known for his aggression, seam movement, and ability to swing the ball, Siraj will be crucial for providing breakthroughs, particularly with the new ball and against England's top order. His fiery spells can often ignite the team.
• Ravindra Jadeja: His left-arm spin, combined with his exceptional fielding and occasional crucial runs, makes him a key all-round player. He will need to control the middle overs, exploit any turn and bounce from the pitch, and pick up crucial wickets as the pitch deteriorates.
• Shardul Thakur: The "Lord" has a habit of producing magic moments with both bat and ball. India will rely on his ability to break partnerships and contribute with the ball when the main bowlers need a breather or are struggling for wickets.
• Shubman Gill (Captaincy): His tactical decisions, bowling changes, and field placements will be under scrutiny. Effective captaincy can make a significant difference in a tight Test match.

England's Position and Counter-Strategy on Day 3

England enters Day 3 with a clear advantage and a strong platform. With only 133 runs needed to surpass India's total and eight wickets in hand, their primary objective will be to not only erase the deficit but also build a substantial first-innings lead.

• Consolidating the Lead: Ollie Pope (20 ) and Joe Root (11 ), both technically sound and capable of playing long innings, will aim to build a strong partnership. Their focus will be on rotating the strike, punishing loose deliveries, and slowly but surely building a lead that puts India under immense pressure.
• 'Bazball' Continues: England is unlikely to deviate from their aggressive 'Bazball' approach. They will look to score quickly, put pressure back on the Indian bowlers, and force them into defensive lines, making it harder for India to settle into a rhythm.
• Exploiting Conditions: As the day progresses, the pitch might offer more for spinners, but England's batsmen are adept at playing spin. They will look to dominate the Indian spinners and ensure the scoring rate remains healthy, preventing any build-up of pressure.
• Patience and Partnerships: While aggressive, England's batsmen also know the value of patience and building long partnerships in Test cricket. They will aim to bat for extended periods, tiring out the Indian bowlers.

Old Trafford Pitch and Weather Report for Day 3

The Old Trafford pitch on Day 3 is expected to offer a balanced contest, though it might show more signs of wear. While it played relatively flat on Day 2, allowing England's openers to score freely, it still has enough in it for bowlers who hit the right areas.

• Pitch Conditions: The surface might offer some early morning moisture, which could assist the pacers with swing and seam movement. As the day progresses and the pitch wears, spinners like Ravindra Jadeja and Liam Dawson will come more into play, finding more turn and bounce, potentially creating footmarks for the pacers to exploit.
• Weather Forecast: The weather forecast for Manchester on Day 3 (July 25, 2025) predicts mostly cloudy conditions with sunny intervals. There's a minimal chance of rain, particularly in the morning, which should allow for uninterrupted play for most of the day. Temperatures are expected to be pleasant, ranging from 16°C to 21°C. These conditions are generally favorable for Test cricket, allowing both batsmen and bowlers to showcase their skills without significant weather interruptions.

Challenges for India: Overcoming the Odds

India faces several significant challenges in their quest for a comeback:

• The 133-Run Deficit: England is already within striking distance of India's total. If they manage to build a lead of 100-150 runs, it will be a significant psychological advantage and a challenging target for India in the fourth innings, especially on a wearing pitch against an aggressive English bowling attack.
• Rishabh Pant's Injury: With Pant ruled out of the remainder of this Test due to a fractured foot, India's batting depth and aggressive counter-attacking option are compromised. While Dhruv Jurel is expected to take over wicketkeeping duties, Pant's unique ability to change the momentum of an innings with his quick scoring is sorely missed.
• Bowling Consistency: India's pacers struggled for consistency on Day 2, bowling too many loose deliveries that allowed England's batsmen to score freely. They need to quickly find their rhythm and bowl disciplined lines to prevent England from scoring freely.
• England's 'Bazball' Momentum: England's aggressive batting style can put immense pressure on bowlers and fielders, forcing errors. India needs to remain calm, stick to their plans, and execute them precisely to counter this relentless approach.
• Fatigue: After a long day in the field, managing fatigue, especially for the fast bowlers, will be crucial.

Match Analysis and Outlook for Day 3

Day 3 of the India vs England 4th Test is poised for high drama and will likely be a defining day for the series. England's strong position, trailing by just 133 runs with eight wickets in hand, gives them a significant advantage. The onus is now squarely on India's bowlers to deliver early breakthroughs and shift the momentum.

If India can bag crucial wickets in the morning session, particularly of Pope and Root, and restrict England's lead to a minimum (ideally under 50 runs), the match could swing back in their favor. This would allow India's batsmen a more manageable target in the fourth innings. However, if England continues their aggressive batting and builds a substantial lead (anything over 100-150 runs), India faces an uphill battle to save the Test and keep their series hopes alive.

The battle between India's bowling attack and England's middle-order batsmen will be fascinating. The performance of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja will be key. Their ability to pick up wickets and control the scoring rate will determine whether India can spark the much-needed comeback. Cricket fans can expect a thrilling day of action as both teams battle fiercely for control of this pivotal Test match and the series. The next few hours will determine whether India can indeed turn the game around and seal control at Old Trafford.