England took firm control of the Manchester Test on Day 3, finishing with a massive total of 544/7 and building a 186-run lead over India. With just two days left in the match, England now look poised to wrap up the five-match series.
At the centre of England’s dominance was Joe Root, who scored a majestic 150, a knock that pushed the match further away from India’s reach. His innings also saw him surpass Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run scorer in Test cricket history.
India’s Strange Call: Sundar Left Unused
While England celebrated a day full of milestones, India’s strategy left fans and experts puzzled — especially the decision to not bowl Washington Sundar.
Sundar, who had impressed with a four-wicket haul in the previous Test at Lord’s, was not given a single over to bowl in Manchester, even after three full sessions. Meanwhile, English batters like Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Ben Stokes continued to dominate without much trouble.
India entered the match with only one frontline spinner, Ravindra Jadeja, and chose Sundar over Kuldeep Yadav. As the pitch began offering turn and inconsistent bounce, Sundar’s ability to contain runs could have been valuable. His non-use left many scratching their heads.
Experts Question Gill’s Leadership
The matter quickly became a hot topic after play ended. Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar raised serious concerns about the team’s tactical choices while speaking on JioHotstar.
He asked, “Can we assume that these decisions were taken solely by Shubman Gill? At this stage of his career, you’d expect him to get some inputs… or considering he has done so well as a batter, everybody has withdrawn, saying ‘this guy is getting into the zone’.”
Manjrekar added bluntly, “Because I can’t see everyone agreeing to this kind of move. Bumrah, KL Rahul, or a Gambhir thinking Washi should not be bowled… come what may.”
Even Sundar’s inclusion in the playing XI raised eyebrows, especially since he wasn’t given a chance to bowl. While Shubman Gill has shown flashes of strategic thinking, his limited experience in high-pressure captaincy roles may be starting to show.
England Pile On the Pressure
England didn’t let up. Although Root was eventually stumped by Jadeja, the damage had already been done. Stokes, who retired hurt after scoring 66 due to cramps, came back later and remained unbeaten on 77 alongside Liam Dawson.
With two days remaining, India faces a steep challenge. To stay alive in the series, the team will need not only a dramatic turnaround but also smarter leadership and sharper tactical decisions from Gill.
