ENG vs IND 2025, 4th Test Day 3 Review: Joe Root’s 38th Test ton helps England gain commanding position in Manchester

England pushed India to the ropes on Day 3 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester, with to Joe Root’s brilliant century and half-centuries from Ollie Pope and Ben Stokes respectively. The Three Lions built a 186-run lead in the first innings and still had three wickets in hand.

On Day 3, Pope and Joe Root started the proceedings for England.

They produced a magnificent 144-run stand off 228 balls to help England reach 341 at the end of 76 overs. However, shortly before India received the second new ball, Pope was removed by Washington Sundar for 71 off 128 balls. Four overs later, Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Harry Brook, leaving England behind India’s first innings score by nine runs with six wickets in hand.

Jasprit Bumrah suffered an ankle injury and quit the game, while Shubman Gill was unable to unleash his most lethal bowling weapon with the new ball. Root went on to score his 38th Test century, with Stokes also playing a crucial role. The two senior pros combined for 142 runs before Stokes was forced to retire due to cramping.

Root went on to reach 150, but departed shortly after. He scored 150 off 248 balls and struck 14 boundaries. He surpassed Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run scorer in Test cricket history, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar. From 499/5, the hosts fell to 528/7 before Stokes returned to join Liam Dawson. The duo negotiated the final few overs of the day, and England concluded on 544/7 in 135 overs.

Stokes will resume his innings from 77. Meanwhile, Dawson has looked solid in his unbeaten knock of 21 off 52 balls. For India, Sundar bowled brilliantly, picking up two wickets for 57 runs in 19 overs. Jadeja toiled hard and bagged a couple of wickets. Kamboj blew hot and cold, while Bumrah missed a crucial part of the encounter due to an injury. However, he returned to bowl later in the day and that will come as a huge relief for the Indian fans.

England have got themselves into a position of strength and with two more days left, India have their backs against the wall as they look to restore parity in the five-match series.