IND vs ENG Live: Rain threat looms large as Rahul, Nair look to extend India's lead

England’s innings was a tale of two extremes.

Reduced to 84/5, they fought back heroically through Smith and Brook, only to crumble again with a dramatic lower-order collapse. Six ducks, including the first golden duck of Ben Stokes’ career, painted a picture of a brittle lineup once the top order was breached.

Siraj and Deep exploited the second new ball brilliantly, bundling out the tail without much resistance.

As Brook admitted, “Up until I got out I felt like we were clawing it back,” but the collapse “as we saw with them (India)” left England with a mountain to climb in the fourth innings.

After bundling out England for 407, India started their second innings with a 180-run lead but lost Yashasvi Jaiswal early. The flamboyant opener, who struck 28 off 22 with six fours, was trapped lbw by Josh Tongue under floodlights.

KL Rahul, however, looked in elegant touch and remained unbeaten on 28 off 38 balls. He was joined by Karun Nair (7*) as India ended the day at 64 for 1 in 13 overs, stretching their overall lead to 244.

With plenty of time left and a flat pitch under their feet, India are in a strong position to set England a daunting fourth-innings target.

India's decision to rest Bumrah and hand responsibility to an inexperienced pace attack paid off handsomely.

Akash Deep complemented Siraj brilliantly, first breaking England’s back early by dismissing Duckett and Pope for ducks, then returning with the second new ball to shatter Brook’s off-stump with a sharp nip-backer. He also dismissed Woakes on his home ground and ended with 4 for 88.

Deep’s accuracy and ability to move the ball impressed in only his second Test, and his key strikes played a crucial role in wrapping up England’s innings quickly and restoring India’s grip on the match.

Jamie Smith’s innings was not only impactful but historic. His 184* is now the highest score by an England wicketkeeper in Tests. His century — coming in just 80 balls — featured 14 fours and 3 sixes, making him one of the rare batters to score a century before lunch.

Smith’s assault included 22 runs in a single over off Prasidh Krishna and capped off with two classy boundaries off Ravindra Jadeja before the break.

Despite keeping wickets for 151 overs, the 24-year-old showed no signs of fatigue. Brook, impressed by his teammate, hailed him as a “phenomenal player” with a “long career ahead with England.”

While Siraj and Akash Deep (4/88) were India’s bowling heroes, England’s sixth-wicket pair of Brook and Smith stole the show for much of the day.

Brook, who had fallen for 99 in the first Test, made amends with a superb 158, while Smith recorded the highest Test score by an England wicketkeeper - surpassing Alec Stewart’s 173 - with a commanding 184 not out. Their 303-run stand shifted momentum dramatically in England’s favour during the morning and afternoon sessions.

But the final session saw a collapse as England lost their last five wickets for just 20 runs, eventually folding for 407 in reply to India’s 587, still trailing by 180.

Mohammed Siraj delivered a spell for the ages on Day 3 of the second Test at Edgbaston, taking 6 for 70 to keep India ahead despite a valiant English comeback led by Jamie Smith and Harry Brook. Siraj struck twice in the second over of the morning - dismissing Joe Root and Ben Stokes off consecutive deliveries - to leave England reeling at 84 for 5.

However, Brook (158) and Smith (184*) counter-attacked with a brilliant 303-run partnership, frustrating the Indian bowlers through two full sessions.

Nevertheless, Siraj returned with the second new ball to finish the innings in style, reaffirming his growing stature as India’s pace spearhead in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence.