Tensions soared on Day 3 of the first Test of the five-game series at Headingley when a feisty exchange between India’s Mohammed Siraj and England’s Harry Brook momentarily stole the spotlight.
Harry Brook’s ruthless retaliation silences Mohammed Siraj’s aggression
It was the 84th over of England’s innings when the duel peaked. Brook, batting fluently and handling the second new ball with remarkable poise, struck two pristine boundaries off Siraj, who was clearly under pressure after a long, unrewarding spell. Frustrated but fired up, Siraj responded with a vicious delivery that jagged back into Brook and beat him all ends up. What followed was a fierce stare and a verbal taunt aimed at unsettling England’s composed batter. Brook, however, stood his ground, unbothered, unfazed, and focused, brushing off the verbal challenge with a wry smile and calm defiance.
Siraj’s attempt to disrupt Brook’s rhythm only fueled the batter’s resolve. In the very next over, Brook unleashed a ruthless counterattack, dispatching the Indian bowling for 18 runs that included a majestic six launched high over long-on. It was a moment of dominance that shifted the psychological balance in England’s favour and left the Indian bowlers searching for answers. Brook’s aggressive yet calculated stroke play not only reasserted England’s control over the session but also epitomized the high-octane mental and emotional battle that defines Test cricket at its fiercest. Despite Siraj’s passionate effort, his figures of 2/122 reflected the toil and the punishment he endured as he carried much of India’s pace burden alongside Jasprit Bumrah.
Here’s the video:
👀😯🗣️ Tensions rising in the middle!#MohammedSiraj and #HarryBrook in a fiery exchange as the heat is on at Headingley! 🔥#ENGvIND 1st Test Day 3 LIVE NOW Streaming on JioHotstar 👉 https://t.co/SIJ5ri9fiC pic.twitter.com/nKZTSeFZt1
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 22, 2025
Also WATCH: Frustrated Rishabh Pant throws ball in disbelief after umpire denies replacement on Day 3 of Headingley Test
England narrow the gap while India steady after early blows on Day 3 in Headingley
By the end of the third day, England had posted an imposing 466 in their first innings, largely riding on the shoulders of Ollie Pope‘s resilient century and Brook’s brilliant 99, falling just one short of a deserved hundred. This meant India held a slender first-innings lead of just six runs. But the England attack, buoyed by momentum, struck back quickly when play resumed. Brydon Carse made the first breakthrough, dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal, the centurion from the first innings, with a beautiful delivery that moved just enough to kiss the edge and land safely in Jamie Smith’s gloves behind the stumps.
With overcast skies hovering and swing on offer, Sai Sudharsan faced a serious test of temperament. Having fallen for a duck in the first innings, the young left-hander showed commendable patience alongside KL Rahul in challenging conditions. Together, the duo absorbed pressure and stitched a stabilising partnership. But just as Sudharsan appeared to settle in, Ben Stokes, England’s tireless skipper, struck again. Much like his dismissal in the first innings, Sudharsan flicked a full ball directly into the hands of Zak Crawley at short midwicket. As the contest teetered evenly, rain arrived late in the session, halting play with India at 90/2 and leading England by 96 runs. Rahul remained unbeaten on 47, steering the innings with assurance, while captain Shubman Gill was on six as the umpires called for covers.
Also WATCH: Jasprit Bumrah cleans up Josh Tongue to break the record for most Test five-wicket hauls by an Indian bowler in England
Source link
