England Crosses 500 as India Relives 10-Year-Old Nightmare on Day 3 of Manchester Test

The third day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford proved to be a nightmare for Team India, as England's dominance with the bat pushed the hosts past 544 runs, exposing India's bowlers and reviving memories of their overseas struggles a decade ago.

India’s Worst Day in 10 Years

After being bowled out for 358 runs on Day 2, India had hoped to bounce back. But England resumed from 225/3 and steamrolled the Indian attack. The last time India conceded 500+ runs in an overseas Test innings was in January 2015 against Australia. Ten years later, history repeated itself—this time in Manchester.

Root, Pope, Stokes Crushed India

• Joe Root scored his 38th Test century, anchoring England's innings with a superb 150.

• Ollie Pope added 71 before falling in the second session.

• Captain Ben Stokes broke his poor run with a gritty half-century, partnering Root for a crucial 152-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Historic Feat After 77 Years

England’s top four batters did something unseen in 77 years:

• Zak Crawley: 84

• Ben Duckett: 94

• Ollie Pope: 71

• Joe Root: 150

This was the first time since 1947 that England’s top four all scored 70+ runs in a single Test innings, underlining their dominance.

Day 3 Scorecard Snapshot

By stumps on Day 3:

• England: 544/7 in 135 overs

• Lead: 186 runs over India

• Bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah (28-1-95-1) and Mohammad Siraj (26-1-113-1) struggled, both facing fitness issues during the day.

With the series on the line and England firmly in control, India faces an uphill battle to avoid defeat in Manchester.