England has taken strong control in the fourth Test match against India. The match is being played at Old Trafford, Manchester, and so far, the home team has shown great batting. After a powerful start, England’s experienced player Joe Root hit a brilliant century, helping the team go past 400 runs with only four wickets down.
England’s Strong Reply to India’s 358
In this five-match Test series, the fourth Test is proving to be a high-scoring game. India batted first and made a solid total of 358 runs. The team would have hoped to put pressure on England early, but the English batsmen had different plans.
On Day 3, England showed their strength with the bat. They have already gone past India’s score with just four wickets down. Their current score is over 400 runs, and they are looking to build an even bigger lead.
Root Continues His Excellent Form
Joe Root, one of England’s most reliable and experienced batsmen, has once again played a key role. After scoring a century at Lord’s in the previous Test, Root scored another hundred in Manchester. His knock has come at the right time for England, giving them stability and confidence in the middle.
Root showed great control and timing throughout his innings. He handled both pace and spin with ease. His footwork and patience helped him build a big partnership and take England into the lead. Root’s form in this series is a major reason why England has performed so well with the bat.
Important Partnerships Set the Stage
Earlier, openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett gave England a steady start. After their dismissals, Joe Root and Ollie Pope built a strong partnership. The duo added more than 100 runs together, taking the game away from India for a while.
Ollie Pope played a solid innings, scoring 71 runs from 128 balls before he was dismissed by Washington Sundar. Pope’s knock was important as it gave Root time to settle and play his natural game.
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India Gets a Few Breakthroughs
While England has dominated, India did manage to get a couple of important wickets on Day 3. Washington Sundar removed Pope, and Harry Brook did not last long either. He could only score 3 runs from 12 balls before getting out.
These wickets have given India some hope, but they still have a lot of work to do. At the end of Day 3, England’s score is still going strong with Joe Root and Ben Stokes at the crease. Both are experienced players who can add many more runs.
What’s Ahead for Team India?
India needs to break the current partnership quickly if they want to come back into this match. Their bowlers must bowl with discipline and patience on Day 4. The pitch at Old Trafford has not helped the bowlers much so far, but reverse swing and sharp spin could come into play as the game moves ahead.
India’s fielding will also be important. Catching every chance and saving runs could make a big difference. They need to stay focused and keep pressure on England to try and stop them from getting a massive first-innings lead.
Series Situation
This is the fourth match of the five-Test series. Both teams have had their moments in the series, and the result of this match could play a big role in deciding the winner of the series. England is currently ahead in this game, but cricket can change quickly, and India will be hoping to turn things around in the next two days.
Disclaimer: This article is based on live match updates and may change as the game progresses. For official scores and statistics, refer to authorized sports platforms.
