3 things India need to do right on Day 3 to gain the upper hand in ENG vs IND 2025 1st Test ft. Mohammed Siraj

After two action-packed days at Headingley in Leeds, the first Test between England and India is delicately poised. India, having posted a strong total of 471 in their first innings, saw England fight back on Day 2, reaching 209/3 at stumps. Ollie Pope stood tall with a commanding unbeaten century, while Harry Brook remained on zero at the close of play. With England behind by 262 runs and seven wickets remaining, Day 3 may prove to be decisive in the direction of the match.

India had previously resumed Day 2 on 359/3, with Shubman Gill (127*) and Rishabh Pant (65*) unbeaten. While Pant went ahead to score his seventh Test ton—beating MS Dhoni in the process—India lost its way after Gill's fall for 147, from 430/3 to 471 all out. Ben Stokes and Josh Tongue led the English fightback with four wickets apiece. For India to regain control, a number of things need to fall into place on Day 3.

1. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna Must Step Up

Jasprit Bumrah was India's only plus with the ball on Day 2, taking all three wickets to fall—crucial wickets of Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Joe Root. The rest of the pace unit, though, did not lend much support to Bumrah. Mohammed Siraj (0/50 in 14 overs) and Prasidh Krishna (0/56 in 10 overs) lacked rhythm and penetration. Siraj, specifically, has to come back and take the initiative on Day 3. He and Prasidh will have to get better consistency and put the pressure on, or England will get away with the match.

2. Fielding Needs Urgent Attention

India's fielding failed them miserably on Day 2, with three catches being dropped—all of them off Bumrah's bowling—that proved expensive. Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped Ben Duckett at gully, and then there was a rare slip-up by Ravindra Jadeja at backward point. Jaiswal dropped another chance towards the end of the day, dropping Ollie Pope at third slip. These mistakes would come back to bite India if not immediately rectified. The team needs to grasp every chance on Day 3 in order to swing the momentum in their direction.

See Also: ENG vs IND, 1st Test Day 2: Major highlights and key performances

3. Prevent England from Taking a First Innings Lead

India lost the opportunity to score a 550+ tally and now must make sure that England does not overtake their score. At least a 100-run lead will be essential for India to remain in control. That implies wickets early on are essential. If India is able to get rid of the Pope-Brook stand early and eliminate the lower order quickly, they can be back in charge. A commanding Day 3 morning session could easily turn the balance in India's direction.

Given the game being evenly poised, India needs to raise the level of intensity in all departments to regain control of the Leeds Test.