By Krishna Dua 
India vs England 4th Test Day 3: Can India Seize Control and Turn the Tide at Old Trafford?
As Day 3 of the highly anticipated 4th Test between India and England commences today, July 25, 2025, at Old Trafford, Manchester, the cricketing world holds its breath. England finished Day 2 in a commanding position, reaching 225 for 2 in their first innings, trailing India’s total of 358 by just 133 runs. This strong batting display 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 looming large over the Indian camp and its ardent supporters is: Can India engineer a dramatic comeback? With the series delicately poised at 2-1 in England’s favor, this Test is a must-win for India to keep their hopes alive. The morning session of Day 3 will be absolutely crucial. Can India’s bowlers find their rhythm, bag early wickets, and stem the flow of runs? Or will England continue their aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach and build a formidable lead? This report delves into the strategies, challenges, and key moments that will define India’s quest for control on Day 3.
Day 2 Recap: England’s Batting Dominance
Day 2 was a tale of two contrasting performances. India, resuming their first innings at 264 for 4, managed to add crucial runs thanks to a courageous half-century from Rishabh Pant (54), who batted despite a fractured foot, and vital contributions from Ravindra Jadeja (20) and Shardul Thakur (41). Captain Ben Stokes led the bowling attack with an impressive five-wicket haul (5/72), his first in Test cricket since 2017, which helped wrap up India’s innings for 358.
However, the real story of the day 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.
- Ben Duckett: Played a magnificent innings of 94 runs off 100 balls, narrowly missing out on a well-deserved century. He was dismissed by debutant Anshul Kamboj, who secured his maiden Test wicket.
- Zak Crawley: Contributed a powerful 84 runs off 113 balls, providing a strong start alongside Duckett before falling to Ravindra Jadeja, caught at first slip by KL Rahul.
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). India’s bowlers, 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 Control
For India to turn the game around and seize control on Day 3, a multi-pronged and highly disciplined strategy will be 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.
1. Aggressive and Disciplined Bowling: 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 will be crucial for them to make inroads. The team needs to bowl in partnerships, building pressure from both ends to force errors.
2. Ravindra Jadeja’s Pivotal Role: 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 will also be crucial in creating run-out opportunities or taking sharp catches.
3. Strategic Field Settings and 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. Maintaining high energy and intensity in the field will also be paramount to keep England’s scoring rate in check and prevent easy singles.
4. Contributions from All-Rounders: Shardul Thakur, known for his knack of picking up wickets at crucial moments, will need to deliver impactful spells. 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.
Challenges for India: Overcoming the Deficit and Injuries
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.
- 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. They need to quickly find their rhythm and bowl disciplined lines to prevent England from scoring freely.
- England’s ‘Bazball’ Approach: 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 approach.
Key Players for India’s Comeback on Day 3
- Jasprit Bumrah: India’s spearhead, his ability to produce unplayable deliveries 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 and ability to swing the ball, Siraj will be crucial for providing breakthroughs, particularly with the new ball and against England’s top order.
- Ravindra Jadeja: His left-arm spin, combined with his exceptional fielding, makes him a key player. He will need to control the middle overs, exploit any turn, 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.
Old Trafford Pitch and Weather Report for Day 3
The Old Trafford pitch on Day 3 is expected to offer a balanced contest. 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. The surface might offer some early morning moisture, which could assist the pacers, and 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.
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.
Conclusion: A Day of High Stakes and Potential Drama
Day 3 of the India vs England 4th Test is poised for high drama. England’s strong position means they are within touching distance of a significant first innings lead. For India, it’s a test of character, discipline, and strategic execution. The onus is on their bowlers to deliver early breakthroughs and shift the momentum. If they can bag crucial wickets in the morning session and restrict England’s lead, the match could swing back in their favor. However, if England continues their aggressive batting, India faces an uphill battle. 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.
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