By Krishna Dua 
India vs England 4th Test Day 3: England Seizes Control, India Faces Uphill Battle 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 hosts find themselves in a commanding position. England will resume their first innings at a formidable 225 for 2, having effectively negated India’s first innings total of 358. With just 133 runs separating them from India’s score, England has firmly seized the momentum, leaving India with a significant challenge to reclaim control and push for a series-leveling victory.
The narrative of this Test has shifted dramatically, with England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach yielding rich dividends on Day 2. The question looming large over the Indian camp and its ardent supporters is whether they can 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 dominant display and build a formidable lead that could decide the fate of the match?
Day 2 Recap: A Tale of Two Halves
Day 2 at Old Trafford was a day of contrasting fortunes, 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, batted with a fractured foot to score a commendable 54 runs, pushing India’s total forward. Valuable contributions also came from Ravindra Jadeja (20) and Shardul Thakur (41), who showed resilience and intent. England’s captain, Ben Stokes, was the star with the ball, delivering an impressive five-wicket haul (5/72), his first in Test cricket since 2017, which helped wrap up India’s innings for a respectable 358. Jofra Archer also contributed significantly with 3 wickets, including the brave Pant.
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.
- Ben Duckett: Played a magnificent innings of 94 runs off 100 balls, narrowly missing out on a well-deserved century. He was eventually dismissed by debutant Anshul Kamboj, who secured his maiden Test wicket, a moment of relief for India.
- 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.
Key Performances from Day 2
- Ben Stokes (England): The captain’s inspiring spell yielded 5 wickets for 72 runs, dismantling India’s lower middle order and showcasing his all-round prowess.
- Ben Duckett (England): His aggressive 94 runs set the tone for England’s innings, putting India on the back foot from the outset.
- Zak Crawley (England): A strong 84 runs from the other opener complemented Duckett’s innings perfectly, forming a dominant partnership.
- Rishabh Pant (India): A courageous 54 runs despite a fractured foot, highlighting his resilience and importance to the Indian batting lineup.
- Anshul Kamboj (India): The debutant pacer claimed his maiden Test wicket, dismissing the dangerous Ben Duckett.
- Ravindra Jadeja (India): Picked up the crucial wicket of Zak Crawley and bowled with discipline.
India’s Uphill Battle: Strategies for Day 3
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 and taking the game away from India.
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.
England’s Advantage and Strategy for Day 3
England enters Day 3 with a clear advantage. 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 and Joe Root, both 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.
- 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.
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 Pivotal Day Ahead for India’s Fortunes
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, show exceptional discipline, 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 and builds a substantial lead, India faces an uphill battle to save the Test and keep their series hopes alive. Cricket fans can expect a thrilling day of action as both teams battle fiercely for control of this pivotal encounter.
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