ENG vs IND 2025: Mohammad Siraj hits third day, sends Joe Root and Ben Stokes to the pavilion in one over

India continued to dominate on the third day of the second Test in the ongoing five-match series against England, thanks to a sensational performance by fast bowler Mohammad Siraj. After captain Shubman Gill's record-breaking 269 on the first two days had already placed India in a commanding position, the Indian bowlers kept the momentum going by dismantling the English batting lineup. Siraj delivered one of the most crucial spells of the match early on Day 3, dismissing two of England's most experienced and dependable batters—Joe Root and Ben Stokes—off back-to-back deliveries.

England started the third day's play at 77 for 3, already under pressure from a massive Indian first innings total of 587. Siraj wasted no time in making an impact. In just the second over of the day, he sent shockwaves through the English camp. The first to fall was Joe Root. Siraj bowled from around the wicket, targeting the stumps with a ball that was angled in. Root attempted to defend, but the ball moved slightly away at the last moment, taking the edge of his bat. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant made no mistake behind the stumps, and Root had to walk back for 22 runs. It was a critical blow for England as they lost their most technically sound batter early.

But Siraj wasn’t done yet. On the very next delivery, he produced another gem to dismiss England’s captain Ben Stokes. The ball was short-pitched and angled across outside off stump. Stokes, attempting to fend it off, edged the ball, and once again Pant was there to grab it safely. This marked Ben Stokes’ first golden duck in Test cricket—a rare and embarrassing moment for a player of his stature. The double blow left England reeling, as Siraj celebrated the breakthrough with his teammates. Though Jamie Smith denied Siraj a hat-trick by striking the next ball for four, the damage had already been done.

Siraj’s spell changed the momentum of the match dramatically. His aggression, accuracy, and intelligent bowling tactics proved too much for England’s top order. The Indian pace attack as a whole showed discipline and fire. Earlier, Siraj had already removed Jack Crawley, caught in the slips, adding to England's troubles. Akash Deep, who came in as a replacement for the rested Jasprit Bumrah, also made a significant impact. On Day 2, he rattled England’s middle order with two wickets in two balls late in the day, setting the stage for India’s dominance on Day 3.

India’s strong position was initially built on captain Shubman Gill’s monumental innings. The young skipper showcased maturity beyond his years, scoring a stunning 269 that included a flurry of elegant strokes and controlled aggression. His innings laid a solid foundation and allowed India to post an imposing first-innings score. The Indian bowlers then seized the opportunity, with every wicket pushing England further into trouble.

With England's star players falling cheaply and the hosts struggling to stabilize their innings, India now finds itself in a commanding position not only in the Test but in the series overall. The energy from the Indian camp was palpable on the field, and Siraj’s fiery bowling set the tone for what could be a match-winning performance. If the bowlers continue to perform at this level, and the batters maintain consistency, India looks well on course to take a 2-0 lead in the series.