Well then, this brings another highly immersive day of Test cricket to a close. England may have dominated large parts of the day, but it’s India who’ll walk away the more satisfied side, holding a healthy lead and momentum heading into Day 4. With two days still left in this Test, there’s plenty of time for the tide to turn. But for England, Saturday brings a huge challenge with the ball as they look to claw their way back into the contest. They will need nothing short of early breakthroughs to keep India’s lead in check and stay in the game. For India, it's all about consolidation from here and piling on as many runs as they can. The action on Day 4 is scheduled to begin at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT) on Saturday, July 5th. But for now, you can follow other cricketing action as England Women and India Women clash in the 3rd T20I in London. Also, far away in St. George's, Grenada, West Indies and Australia battle it out on the second day of the second Test. You can simply switch tabs and follow all the live action from those matches. Cheers!

Mohammed Siraj is in for a quick chat with Deep Dasgupta. He says it is an unbelievable feeling to take six wickets in England and shares that it is a special moment. Mentions that he had come close to a five-wicket haul on earlier occasions in England, so to finally achieve it, especially in these conditions, feels incredibly rewarding. With bowling partners who are still new to Test cricket, Siraj shares that it was important for him to keep things tight from his end and not leak runs. Stresses the need to be consistent and bowl in partnerships to build pressure. States that he loves taking responsibility and embracing challenges, something he has done throughout his life. Shares that the pitch is getting slower with each passing day, and once batters get set, it becomes difficult to stop them. Adds that in such conditions, patience is the key.

With about an hour left in the day, India walked out under moody skies and a fresh new ball. But KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal looked up for the challenge, playing each ball on merit and countering with some crisp, confident strokes. Jaiswal quietly crossed 2000 Test runs, while Rahul unfurled a few trademark drives that oozed class. The pitch showed a few tired signs, with the odd ball keeping low, and out of nowhere, the bowling change worked wonders as Josh Tongue removed Jaiswal in the final few minutes. KL Rahul and Karun Nair then together safely coasted India with a lead of 244 runs.

Siraj was the star, finishing with a fiery 6 for 70, his personal best bowling figures in England. The scorecard, though, looked oddly lopsided. Apart from Brook and Smith, who went past 150s respectively, no other batter crossed 30, and six English players fell for ducks. What had been a day of dominance ended with India clawing back hard, with still a lead of 180 runs at the helm. 

Cut to the final session, and England were still riding high. Brook reached a well-earned 150, and his stand with Jamie Smith crossed the 300-run mark, England’s second-best for the sixth wicket in Tests. Smith, calm and clinical, went on to remain unbeaten on 184, breaking Alec Stewart’s long-standing record for the highest score by an English wicketkeeper. But just as England looked set to bat deep into the evening, the second new ball flipped the script. India’s pacers made it sing to their tunes. Akash Deep struck with the big wicket of Brook, who was visibly struggling with cramps, and from there, the collapse was swift. England went from 387 for 5 to 407 all out, adding just 20 runs.

The second session was all about control and quiet accumulation. Brook and Smith, having blazed away before lunch, shifted to a more measured approach. With India tightening their lines and setting in-out fields, the pair calmly worked the singles and avoided any loose strokes. The only real chance came when Smith edged one on 121, but Pant couldn’t cling on. India did well to pull things back, conceding 106 runs in 28 overs. The scoring rate dipped noticeably from the morning’s 6.37 to 3.79, a sign of the bowlers regaining some control. England stayed on top as India couldn't pick a single wicket in the afternoon session. 

Brook and Smith kept the scoreboard ticking with smart rotation and clean hitting, forcing India into a defensive mindset. Slips were removed, Gill was chasing the ball, and the spinners lost their rhythm. It was BazBall in full flow, with England scoring at over six an over and putting the pressure right back on India. Smith smashed his century on the cusp of Lunch, whereas Brook too went past that figure in the second session. 

India started Day 3 with fire in their veins, riding the momentum from Day 2. Siraj struck early with a double blow, removing Root and Stokes in back-to-back deliveries to jolt England to 84/5. But just when it looked like the visitors might fold, Brook and Smith launched a spirited counterattack. They batted with intent and took on the bowlers bravely. As the sun baked the pitch and the ball softened, batting became easier and India’s early intensity began to fade.

SESSION SUMMARY - 27.3 Overs, 116 Runs and 6 Wickets. What a remarkable day of Test cricket it’s been. Day 2 was packed with records falling left and right, and this ‘Moving Day’ has shifted the game into high gear, pushing the match forward at a rapid pace. It's been a run fest with 394 runs being scored across 82.3 overs bowled in the day. England owned the morning and afternoon sessions, with Harry Brook and Jamie Smith putting on a batting masterclass, barely offering a chance. But the evening session swung India’s way, as they turned the tide with the ball, picking up 5 wickets and painting the final stretch of the day blue.

There's some drizzle in the air, and the groundsmen are ready near the hover cover. But with just a couple of minutes remaining in the day's play, it's not at all threatening. And this could well be the final over of the day. Also, Nasser Hussain on air mentions that the weather for Day 4 is promising, but it's a bit of a mixed bag for Day 5.