Root masterclass has India Staring at Defeat in 4th Test, Series on the Line

 

If India loses the ongoing Manchester Test, they will lose the series. And at the end of Day 3, the match situation offers little hope for a win or even a draw. Despite cricket being a game of glorious uncertainties, England now holds a dominant position in the fourth Test from where a defeat appears highly unlikely. Without an extraordinary second-innings batting performance, it will be nearly impossible for India to save this Test. England ended Day 3 at 544/7, leading by 186 runs with two full days still to go. Unless weather intervenes, a result is inevitable.

India’s plan on the third morning was clear: dismiss Joe Root and Ollie Pope as early as possible. But things didn’t go according to script. The Indian bowling lacked the sharpness required to trouble England’s in-form batters. Root and Pope gave no chances. With clear skies and a flat pitch, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj had little assistance. The English duo made full use of the conditions, scoring freely.

Perhaps Gautam Gambhir picked debutant Anshul Kamboj hoping to surprise England. But the stark difference between domestic and international cricket should have been evident by now—Karun Nair’s case is a reminder. Kamboj, who rarely crosses 130 kmph, was ineffective on such a pitch. While his line and length were decent, targeting the stumps and body consistently, the lack of pace made him easy to play. He could have picked up a wicket, though. That chance was squandered by Dhruv Jurel, who was keeping up to the stumps due to Kamboj's slower pace. A faint glove from Pope went uncaught.

India continued to pay the price for Rishabh Pant’s absence. Not only is Pant a valuable batter, but his keeping skills are also top-class. Jurel, filling in, failed to impress again. Although he did complete two stumpings, missing either would have been unforgivable. He also allowed several balls to slip past.

India’s troubles compounded when Bumrah left the field during the first session with an apparent injury. When he returned, he was limping while fielding near the boundary. Commentators reported he wouldn’t bowl before the tea break. After tea, he did bowl, but at a drastically reduced pace—around 127 kmph—making life even easier for the English batters.

Eventually, it was Washington Sundar who provided India some relief. Introduced after 68 overs by Shubman Gill, he broke the partnership by removing Pope and then Harry Brook, who was stumped after stepping out too far. But whatever momentum India gained quickly vanished. Root remained immovable, and he found support in Ben Stokes. The England captain, having taken five wickets with the ball, was determined to contribute with the bat as well. Instead of resorting to ‘Bazball’ tactics, Stokes opted for a classical, composed approach to build a long innings alongside Root.

Their partnership pushed England close to the 500-run mark. However, Stokes eventually retired hurt due to cramp, and Root followed soon after, having scored 150. Jamie Smith (9) and Chris Woakes (4) didn’t last long, but Stokes returned to the crease after Woakes' dismissal.

Over the two days England batted, the sun mostly shone over Manchester. India will begin their second innings on Day 4, when the forecast predicts overcast conditions—again tilting nature against them. Now it remains to be seen whether Shubman Gill and company can withstand England’s bowling attack and pull off an escape.