England’s bowlers faced a tough test against India’s talented batting lineup during the third day of their ongoing Test match. The tourists were bowled out for 387 in 119.2 overs, leaving the scores level on first innings. Captain Ben Stokes played a crucial role in conjuring something from nothing, particularly in two viral-worthy moments.
The first instance occurred when Stokes removed Rishabh Pant with a superb display of awareness and athleticism, swooping in to hit a single run out despite being fresh from a five-over burst of bouncers in the scorching heat. The second moment came after tea, when Stokes broke a troubling sixth-wicket stand between Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy, extracting extra lift from the surface and causing Jadeja to edge behind.
Shoaib Bashir also contributed with an outfoxing display against KL Rahul, shutting down a beautifully crafted 100 from 177 balls. The evening session saw Stokes’s men fight back with character, claiming five wickets for 71 runs – the eighth time in Test history that first innings scores have been level.
The outcome of the match now hangs in the balance as England looks to bounce back with the bat on day four. Jasprit Bumrah was visibly frustrated at being unable to deliver a second over, while Zak Crawley’s time-wasting sparked a heated exchange with the Indian bowler. The hosts will need to regroup and respond to India’s batting display, which showcased the talents of KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
The series now hinges on how England fares with the bat, particularly with Ben Stokes leading from the front.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/12/stokes-conjures-england-magic-to-halt-india-and-put-third-test-on-knife-edge