India vs England 1st Test, Day 3 Highlights: Ravindra Jadeja & Sai Sudharsan’s Stunning Catch, Brook’s Heroics Keep England Afloat
Test cricket, in its purest form, is a narrative woven from moments. It’s a five-day saga where entire sessions, and sometimes the fate of the match itself, can pivot on a single act of defiance or a fleeting flash of genius. Day 3 of the first Test between India and England at the storied Headingley ground was a microcosm of this very drama. It was a day of grinding attrition punctuated by breathtaking brilliance, a day where England’s resolute batting, spearheaded by the audacious Harry Brook, met the unwavering persistence of the Indian bowling attack. Yet, the day’s most enduring image might not be of a boundary or a bouncer, but of a gravity-defying, two-man relay catch on the boundary that encapsulated the spirit of modern Test cricket.
As the stumps were drawn, England stood at 350 for the loss of six wickets, still trailing India’s formidable first-innings total of 471 by 121 runs. While the scorecard tells a tale of a finely balanced contest, it barely scratches the surface of the tactical battles, the psychological warfare, and the individual contests that made this day so compelling. This deep dive goes beyond the numbers to analyze the pivotal moments and performances that have set the stage for a tantalizing fourth day, focusing on the contrasting yet equally impactful roles of Harry Brook’s counter-attacking masterclass and Ravindra Jadeja’s game-changing fielding brilliance.
India vs England 1st Test Day 3 Full Match Highlights, Harry Brook 99 Scorecard, India Bowling Analysis, Live Score Today
Match Summary at a Glance
| Match Details | India vs England, 1st Test 2025 – Day 3 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Headingley, Leeds |
| India 1st Innings | 471 all out |
| England 1st Innings | 420/7 at stumps (90.1 overs) |
| Top Scorer (ENG) | Harry Brook – 99 (127) |
| Top Scorer (IND) | Rishabh Pant – 134 (178) |
| Best Bowler (IND) | Jasprit Bumrah – 3 wickets |
| Lead | India lead by 51 runs |
| Conditions | Overcast with breaks of sunshine |
Highlights – India vs England 1st Test Day 3
1. Brook’s Brilliance Ends on 99
Harry Brook played one of the most elegant innings of his career. His knock of 99 off 127 balls included:
- 14 fours
- 1 six
- 81 strike rate
He dominated Indian bowlers until a short ball from Prasidh Krishna tempted him into a pull shot — caught brilliantly by Shardul Thakur at fine-leg.
❝Brook’s dismissal was a turning point, just when England were beginning to threaten India’s lead.❞
2. Jadeja & Sudharsan’s Stunning Team Catch
The moment of the session came when Jamie Smith tried to pull a short ball and misjudged it. Ravindra Jadeja caught the ball near the ropes, juggled it mid-air, and threw it to debutant B Sai Sudharsan before falling over — a spectacular combined effort.
3. Pant’s Aggression from Day 2 Still Echoes
Though it happened a day earlier, Rishabh Pant’s 134 (178) set the tone for India’s dominance. With support from Shubman Gill (147), the Indian innings gave bowlers enough cushion to attack.
4. India’s Use of the New Ball
With England at 350/6, India took the second new ball:
- Bumrah and Siraj bowled in tandem.
- Jasprit Bumrah troubled Woakes and Brook.
- The new ball brought breakthroughs, including Brook’s wicket.
- Siraj went for runs, but Prasidh made a comeback.
Player Performances – Statistical Breakdown
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Harry Brook | 99 (127), 14 fours, 1 six |
| Chris Woakes | 31* off 33 balls, 5 boundaries (till stumps) |
| Rishabh Pant | 134 (178), 12 fours, 6 sixes |
| Shubman Gill | 147 (211), 18 fours |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 3 wickets, most economical bowler |
| Prasidh Krishna | 2 wickets including Ollie Pope & Brook |
Turning Points of the Day
- Brook’s missed catch by Jaiswal: Could’ve ended on 63; went to 99.
- Brook’s dismissal at 99: India clawed back right after.
- Jadeja-Sudharsan catch: Game-changing fielding moment.
- Bumrah’s departure due to discomfort: Raised concerns for India.
Weather Report – Day 4 Forecast at Headingley
According to AccuWeather:
- 10% chance of rain.
- Morning overcast, sunny spells by noon.
- Seamers to get movement early on.
India Bowling Analysis – Second New Ball Impact
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | 21 | 62 | 3 | 2.95 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 18.3 | 87 | 1 | 4.70 |
| Prasidh Krishna | 19 | 95 | 2 | 5.00 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 20 | 60 | 1 | 3.00 |
| Shardul Thakur | 10 | 50 | 0 | 5.00 |
Fan Reactions & Expert Comments
“Brook deserved a century, but India stayed patient and the new ball did the trick.” – Harsha Bhogle
“Pant’s innings was game-defining. England may still trail by 50+, but it’s match on.” – Michael Vaughan
“The Jadeja-Sudharsan catch was among the best ever in Test cricket.” – Aakash Chopra
What to Expect on Day 4
- Can India clean up the tail before England takes a lead?
- Will Bumrah return or is the injury serious?
- Can Pant do another miracle with the bat if India gets a slim lead?
Setting the Stage: The Foundation Laid by India’s First Innings
To truly appreciate the context of Day 3, one must first rewind to India’s monumental first-innings effort. Walking out to bat under the often-challenging Headingley sky, India posted a colossal 471, a total built on the back of two extraordinary innings from two contrasting but equally vital players: captain Shubman Gill and the mercurial Rishabh Pant.1
Shubman Gill, leading the side, played a captain’s knock of immense maturity and class.2 His 147 was a study in orthodox technique, patience, and impeccable shot selection. He weathered the early storm from England’s veteran pacers, laid a solid foundation, and ensured the scoreboard kept ticking over, preventing the English bowlers from ever truly dominating proceedings. His innings was the bedrock upon which India built their advantage.
Then came the storm. Rishabh Pant’s innings of 134 off just 178 balls was anything but orthodox.3 It was a whirlwind of controlled chaos, a display of power-hitting so audacious it left spectators and opponents alike stunned. With an arsenal of sweeps, reverse-sweeps, and six powerful maximums, Pant dismantled the English bowling attack. He didn’t just score runs; he fundamentally altered the tempo of the game, transferring all the pressure back onto England. His innings ensured that India didn’t just post a competitive score, but a psychologically imposing one, leaving England with a mountain to climb. This aggressive foundation by India set the tone for England’s own reply, creating a high-stakes environment where every run and every wicket would be fiercely contested.
The Morning Session: A Battle of Attrition and a Captain’s Fall
Day 3 began with England on 209/3, with centurion Ollie Pope and the dangerous Harry Brook at the crease. The first session was a classic game of cat and mouse, with India hunting for early breakthroughs and England looking to chip away at the significant deficit.
Prasidh Krishna, who had been expensive on Day 2, was entrusted with the ball early on. The move paid immediate dividends, though not before some fireworks. After being hit for a four and a six by an aggressive Harry Brook, Prasidh produced the perfect response. A wide delivery outside the off-stump tempted Pope into a cut shot he would instantly regret. The resulting edge flew straight into the grateful gloves of Rishabh Pant, and the centurion had to depart for a well-made 106. It was a massive wicket for India, breaking a crucial partnership and giving Prasidh his first scalp of the match.
The fall of Pope brought the talismanic England captain, Ben Stokes, to the crease. What followed was a fascinating passage of play. While Harry Brook continued his flamboyant assault at one end, Stokes adopted an uncharacteristically cautious approach. He seemed content to get a feel for the conditions, scoring just 4 runs off his first 27 deliveries. This tactical battle—the aggressor and the anchor—posed a different kind of question to the Indian bowlers.
India’s captain, Shubman Gill, turned to his premier pacers, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, to press the advantage. It was Siraj who delivered the next breakthrough. In a moment that would bring huge relief to the Indian camp, he induced a loose cut shot from Stokes. The ball, wide outside the off-stump, found the edge, and Pant completed a simple catch. Stokes was gone, and Siraj, after a frustrating spell, had his first wicket, punctuated by a long, intense glare at the departing England captain. At 276/5, India were firmly in the driver’s seat.
This session also saw its share of drama surrounding the Dukes’ ball. Rishabh Pant was visibly unhappy with its condition, leading to multiple discussions with the umpires and checks with the ring gauge. The incident highlighted the critical importance of the ball’s state in English conditions, where seam movement and swing are paramount. Though no change was made initially, it was a subplot that simmered throughout the morning.
Harry Brook’s Masterclass: The Engine of England’s Resistance
If the morning session belonged to India’s bowlers, the period leading up to and following lunch was dominated by the sheer class and audacity of Harry Brook. His innings was a magnificent counter-attack that not only stabilized England’s innings but also put the Indian bowlers on the back foot.
Brook’s half-century, reached in just 65 balls, was a masterclass in aggressive, positive Test match batting. He showed no fear, irrespective of the bowler’s reputation. He took on Prasidh Krishna from the very first over of the day, drove Jasprit Bumrah down the ground with authority, and played Mohammed Siraj with disdain. His approach was best exemplified by a single, extraordinary shot against Ravindra Jadeja. Seeing the field, Brook went down on one knee and executed a perfect scoop shot over the wicketkeeper’s head for a boundary—a shot straight out of the Rishabh Pant playbook. It was a moment of incredible skill and confidence that signaled he would not be intimidated.
His innings was not just about brute force; it was calculated aggression. He found gaps with surgical precision, drove through the covers with elegance, and pulled and cut with venom. This relentless positivity had a tangible effect on the Indian team. Field settings were changed, bowling plans were altered, and for a period, the world-class Indian attack seemed to be reacting to him, not the other way around.
However, his charmed life could have ended prematurely. In a moment that India might come to rue, Ravindra Jadeja induced a faint edge. The ball, however, seemed to die on its way to Rishabh Pant, who, perhaps surprised by the uneven bounce, couldn’t react in time to pouch the catch. It was a massive let-off for Brook and a moment of immense frustration for India, allowing the English batsman to continue his assault and build a crucial partnership with Jamie Smith.
The Jadeja Phenomenon: A Moment of Fielding That Defined the Day
While Harry Brook was defining the day with his bat, Ravindra Jadeja, arguably the world’s premier all-rounder, was about to leave his indelible mark on the proceedings with a moment of pure athletic genius in the field.
Throughout his spell, Jadeja was a model of consistency, keeping things tight and building pressure from one end. He created the chance that saw Brook dropped and constantly troubled the batsmen with his unerring accuracy. But his most significant contribution came just three deliveries before the new ball was due, a critical juncture in the day’s play.
The batsman, Jamie Smith, who had looked confident and was building a threatening partnership with Brook, decided to take on a shortish delivery. He launched into a powerful pull shot, sending the ball soaring towards the deep square-leg boundary. It looked destined for a six. Stationed there was Ravindra Jadeja. He moved flawlessly to his left, positioned himself under the ball, and took the catch. However, his momentum was carrying him over the boundary rope. In a split-second of extraordinary presence of mind and athleticism, while airborne and off-balance, Jadeja threw the ball back into the field of play.
Waiting in the vicinity was the debutant, B Sai Sudharsan. The young fielder showed no nerves, completing the relay catch with composure. It was a sensational, perfectly executed team dismissal. The wicket of Jamie Smith was a huge breakthrough for India, breaking a burgeoning partnership and exposing England’s lower order to the imminent threat of the brand-new Dukes’ ball.
This catch was more than just a wicket. It was a surge of adrenaline for the entire Indian team. It was a testament to the high fielding standards the team sets and a perfect example of Jadeja’s immense value. He can change the course of a game with the bat, with the ball, or as he proved so spectacularly, with a single, breathtaking moment in the field.
Looking Ahead: The New Ball and a Tantalizing Day 4
As play ended on Day 3, the match was poised on a knife’s edge. England, at 350/6, have shown remarkable fight, but the dismissal of Jamie Smith has left them vulnerable. The responsibility now falls squarely on the shoulders of the well-set Harry Brook and the England tail, which includes capable batsmen like Chris Woakes.
For India, the task is clear. The new ball, taken just before the close of play, is their biggest weapon. Captain Shubman Gill will be looking to his pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah—who surpassed the legendary Wasim Akram for most wickets by an Asian bowler in SENA countries during this match—and Mohammed Siraj to make early inroads on Day 4. If they can wrap up the English tail quickly and maintain a lead of over 100 runs, they will be in a commanding position to dictate the final stages of the match.
Day 4 promises another thrilling chapter in this captivating Test match. Will Harry Brook continue his heroic resistance and shepherd England to a first-innings lead? Or will the Indian pacers, armed with a new ball, run through the lower order and set up a match-winning advantage? The stage is set at Headingley for a day of cricket that could very well decide the outcome of this enthralling contest. The battle between bat and ball, between defiance and persistence, is far from over.
India vs England 1st Test 2025 – Day 3 Score Summary
| Team | Score | Lead/Trail | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 471 all out | – | Shubman Gill (147), Rishabh Pant (134) |
| England | 350/6 | Trails by 121 | Ollie Pope (106), Harry Brook (50*), Jamie Smith (44) |
Key Player Performances – Day 3
| Player | Team | Performance Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Brook | England | 50* (65 balls), aggressive strokeplay, key to recovery |
| Ollie Pope | England | 106 runs, anchor of England’s innings |
| Ravindra Jadeja | India | Tight spin bowling, brilliant relay catch |
| Sai Sudharsan | India | Stunning catch assist on debut, sharp fielding |
| Mohammed Siraj | India | Dismissed Ben Stokes, bowling with fire |
Important Match Milestones & Records
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Pant’s Century | 134 off 178 balls – aggressive, game-changing innings |
| Bumrah’s SENA Record | Surpassed Wasim Akram for most SENA wickets by an Asian (147) |
| Jadeja-Sudharsan Relay Catch | Dismissed Jamie Smith right before new ball |
| England’s First Session Runs (Day 3) | 118 runs scored before Lunch |
| New Ball Taken | After 80 overs, late in the second session |
India’s Bowling Performance – Day 3
| Bowler | Overs | Runs Conceded | Wickets | Economy | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | 18+ | ~45 | 0 | ~2.5 | Maintained pressure, no wickets |
| Mohammed Siraj | 15+ | ~60 | 1 | ~4.0 | Dismissed Stokes, mixed accuracy |
| Prasidh Krishna | 12+ | ~55 | 1 | ~4.5 | Took key wicket of Ollie Pope |
| Shardul Thakur | 8 | ~40 | 0 | 5.0 | Expensive spell |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 20+ | ~50 | 0 | ~2.5 | Economical, created multiple chances |
Day 3 – Drama, Reviews & Missed Chances
| Incident | Description | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Brook dropped by Pant | Faint edge missed behind the stumps | Could prove costly |
| Jamie Smith DRS save | LBW overturned; ball missing stumps | Smith survived |
| Pant throws ball in frustration | Disagreed with umpire about ball shape | Ball later changed |
| Relay Catch: Jadeja-Sudharsan | Jadeja takes boundary catch, tosses mid-air to Sudharsan | Smith dismissed before new ball |
| Rain forecast confusion | Accuweather flip-flopped on rain prediction | No rain interrupted play |
FAQs: India vs England 1st Test, Day 3
1. What is the current score in India vs England 1st Test 2025 after Day 3?
As of the end of Day 3, England is 350/6 in response to India’s 471. England trails India by 121 runs with Harry Brook unbeaten at the crease.
2. Who were the top performers on Day 3 of the 1st Test between India and England?
Top performers included:
- Harry Brook: Scored an unbeaten half-century.
- Ollie Pope: Hit a brilliant 106.
- Ravindra Jadeja & Sai Sudharsan: Combined for a stunning catch.
- Mohammed Siraj: Dismissed Ben Stokes.
3. What was Ravindra Jadeja and B Sai Sudharsan’s fielding highlight?
They pulled off a spectacular relay catch on the boundary to dismiss Jamie Smith just before the second new ball was taken. Jadeja caught it and tossed it mid-air to debutant Sudharsan.
4. How did Rishabh Pant perform in the India vs England 1st Test 2025?
Rishabh Pant scored a magnificent 134 off 178 balls on Day 2, including 12 fours and 6 sixes. On Day 3, he was involved in a missed catch opportunity off Harry Brook.
5. What records did Jasprit Bumrah break on Day 3?
Jasprit Bumrah surpassed Wasim Akram to become the highest wicket-taker among Asians in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries with 147 wickets.
6. What was the DRS controversy involving Jamie Smith?
Jamie Smith survived an LBW appeal after a successful DRS review showed the ball was missing the stumps. It was a crucial moment as he was well set.
7. Why was Rishabh Pant upset during the match?
Pant expressed visible frustration over the condition of the ball, which he felt was not up to standard. Despite checking, umpires did not immediately replace it, prompting Pant to throw the ball in anger.
8. How did England fare in the first session of Day 3?
England added 118 runs in the first session, with Ollie Pope reaching his century and Harry Brook launching a counterattack. They minimized the deficit to 144 by Lunch.
9. Did weather impact Day 3 play at Headingley?
Although rain was forecast, Day 3 proceeded without major interruptions. Earlier updates indicated possible showers, but conditions remained clear, aiding England’s batting.
10. What is the current status of India’s bowling attack in the 1st Test?
India’s bowlers, barring Bumrah and Siraj, have struggled to break partnerships. Prasidh Krishna picked up Ollie Pope, but Shardul Thakur was expensive. Jadeja was tight but wicketless.