Joe Root slams another century as England bury India under scoreboard pressure at Headingley

Not many would have thrown their money behind England to make such an incredible comeback after a shambolic fifth and final day of the Lord’s Test, which had culminated in a Test defeat against India. Within two days, at Leeds, England have handed India the ignominy of yet another double-digit team score (78) and have also perhaps out-batted their opponent — all in some remarkable style.

Joe Root smacked the third century for himself in the series – all within the first three Tests — as he went past the 500-run mark in a spectacular fashion with an innings that helped England motor on to a strong total on the second day, which completely belonged to the home team.

Root struck 14 boundaries and faced only 165 balls to pile on another 121 against India, his third century in last four Test innings and his overall four tons against this opponent this year, as the hosts hammered home the advantage after bundling India out for a low score in the first innings.

There have not been many days where this Indian bowling attack has been made to look as ordinary as England did on the second day of this Test on Thursday. For a large part of the day, it was England batsmen all over the Indians, producing a unified batting effort to help bury their opponent under scoreboard pressure.

Apart from the century from Root, England were also served extremely well by half-centuries from three other batsmen. In fact, all four of the top batsmen crossed the 60-run mark, which was the stepping stone of a huge England total of 423/8 at the end of the play on Thursday, which kept England ahead by as many as 345 runs.

For India, the only purpose left in the game is to bat for their pride and respect over the next three days as the English innings, seemingly far ahead of the visitors in this contest, is enough to give their bowlers in a licence to have a go at the Indian batsmen and for a victory by an innings. 

England resumed the second day’s play on Thursday at a strong position of 120/0 with their openers having completed their respective half-centuries. But what came as a huge respite for the Indian bowlers, Mohammad Shami broke through Rory Burns’s defence to get rid of him for a 153-ball 61, which included six boundaries and a hit over the fence.

The first wicket brought second for India after not spending much time working for it. Ravindra Jadeja got through the defence of Haseeb Hameed to dismiss the come-back England opener for 68 from 195 balls, in which he hit 12 fours.

The two English batsmen had added 135 runs for the first wicket but it was the partnerships for the third wicket and for the fourth truly piled up the misery on India. 

And not to anyone surprise, Root was at the centre of it.

The England captain added 139 runs for the third wicket along with Dawid Malan, the world No 1 T20I batsmen, who was brought into the side in place of struggling opener Dom Sibley to provide them with some solidity in the middle.

Malan looked set for a century for himself but Mohammed Siraj struck to dismiss the left-handed batsman, getting him caught behind by Rishabh Pant for a 128-ball 70 which was studded with 11 boundaries.

Root carried on piling further pressure on India by adding another 52 runs for the fourth wicket, but it was also the last strong partnership in this English innings. After the top order had done their job, the Indian fast bowlers came to the party and got rid of the remaining batsmen in quick succession to get to the tale.

Bairstow made 29 from 43 balls whereas Craig Overton, who was batting on 24 not out from 31 balls with four boundaries, were the only two significant contributors in the bottom half of the English innings on Thursday.

Ishant Sharma remained wicketless for his 22 overs and was also expensive, giving away 92 runs at an economy rate of 4.18. On the other hand, Shami returned with 3/87, Siraj with 2/86, Jadeja with 2/88 and Jasprit Bumrah with 1/58 by the end of the day’s play. 

This will be the biggest challenge with the bat for this Indian team which has its middle order horribly out of form, and the top-order looking a little ordinary after a couple of poor returns. With three days left in the contest, England will feel that they can wrap up the proceedings in a couple of days’ time provided India do not collapse once again to hand them a series-levelling victory.