After a massive 303-run sixth-wicket partnership with Jamie Smith that had swung the Test match in England’s favour, bowler Akash Deep delivered a peach to dismiss Harry Brook, giving India a much-needed breakthrough at Edgbaston.
Early on Day 3, England was struggling at 84 for 5, still more than 500 runs behind India’s enormous first-innings total. Ben Stokes and Joe Root had been removed off consecutive balls by Mohammed Siraj’s double-strike to start. However, Smith and Harry Brook served as crisis managers after the early dismissals.
Smith faced a hat-trick ball when he entered the game and proceeded to smash a century off of just 80 balls, which is the third-fastest century ever by an Englishman in Test cricket. In the meantime, Brook scored his first century against India and his ninth in Test cricket. The pair combined for 303 runs off 364 deliveries, the biggest partnership for England against India at six wickets and the third-highest for the Men in Blue at six wickets or less.
But Akash Deep was given the second new ball by captain Shubman Gill, who ultimately made the crucial breakthrough.
The bowler produced a length delivery that pitched outside off and returned in the 83rd over. When the ball passed his inside edge and struck into the off stump, Brook, who had been cramping up for a few overs, attempted to push it.
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An absolute jaffa! 🙌#AkashDeep gets the much-needed breakthrough for #TeamIndia with a peach of a delivery! 🏏⚡#ENGvIND 👉 2nd TEST, Day 3 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar ➡ https://t.co/zKFoXmGVoj pic.twitter.com/Tkvn2Dd2rd
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 4, 2025
With 17 boundaries and a six, Brook finished with a strong 158 off 234 balls, a knock he dedicated to his late grandmother, Pauline. India had a middle session without a wicket as England reached 355 for 5 at tea, so the dismissal was a huge relief. But Smith, who is batting at 173, and all-rounder Chris Woakes will be targeted by the visitors. England was down by 192 runs with a score of 395/6 at the time of writing.
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