Leeds, June 22 (UNI) Jasprit Bumrah’s incisive spell brought India back into the contest, but England managed to cut the deficit to just six runs at tea on Day 3 of the first Test at Headingley on Sunday.

England were bowled out for 465 in reply to India’s 471, thanks largely to Harry Brook’s valiant 99 and crucial contributions from the lower order.

Brook’s attacking knock, filled with audacious strokeplay and confidence, came to a heartbreaking end one short of a deserved century. After three reprieves — including a no-ball dismissal on 0 and two dropped catches on 46 and 80 — the Yorkshireman finally succumbed to a short ball from Prasidh Krishna, top-edging a pull to Shardul Thakur at long leg.

Brook’s innings featured elegant strokes including consecutive boundaries and a towering six off Mohammed Siraj, underlining his dominance before his dismissal.

Jamie Smith earlier chipped in with a quick 40 but fell to another short-ball trap, caught via a relay effort between Jadeja and Sai Sudharsan. England’s tail then wagged with purpose — Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse added 55 in just 7.2 overs, with Woakes reaching the milestone of 2,000 Test runs in style by launching Prasidh Krishna for two sixes.

India, however, managed to close the innings before England could take a lead. Siraj broke the Woakes-Carse stand with a well-disguised yorker, and Bumrah cleaned up Woakes and No. 11 Josh Tongue to finish with figures of 5 for 83 — his third five-wicket haul in England.

Despite their fielding lapses — including five dropped catches and a costly no-ball — India held onto a slender six-run lead, setting up a potentially thrilling second half of the match with a one-innings shootout effectively underway.

Tea Score:

India – 471

England – 465 all out (Brook 99, Pope 106, Bumrah 5/83)

India lead by 6 runs

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