Mohammed Siraj's six wicket haul helps India stay ahead

Mohammed Siraj’s stellar six wicket-haul kept India ahead in the second Test against England after counterattacking hundreds from Jamie Smith and Harry Brook threatened to take the game away from the visitors on an extraordinary third day here on Friday.

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Siraj struck twice in the second over of the day to leave England on the mat at 84 for five before Brook (158 off 234) and Smith (184 not out off 207) combined to script the hosts’ remarkable recovery with a 303-run stand off 368 balls.

England eventually ended with 407 all out in response to India’s mammoth 578 all out.

At stumps, India were 64 for one in 13 overs with the loss of Yashasvi Jaiswal (28 off 22), leading England by 244 runs.

KL Rahul (28 batting off 38) looked in sublime touch and was joined by Karun Nair (7 batting off 18) in the middle after the left-handed opener was trapped in front by Josh Tongue amid grey skies with floodlights on.

Dominant England's Opening Session

England hammered as many as 172 runs in the morning session despite having lost half their side, before adding another 106 runs in a wicket-less afternoon session.

With the wicket not helping either the pacers or spinners, India were desperately hoping the second new ball would do the trick for them. And it did with Siraj (6/70) and Akash Deep (4/88) taking England’s last five wickets for 20 runs, giving India a healthy 180-run first innings lead.