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Day 3 dawned not with sunshine, but with a heavy, clinging grey mist. It had rained relentlessly throughout the evening and deep into the night, soaking the outfield and saturating the air with moisture. The covers had been peeled back to reveal a pitch that looked a shade darker, sweating under the humidity.
For a swing bowler, this was nirvana. For a batsman, it was purgatory.
Michael Atherton: "Good morning from a gloomy Birmingham. The forecast says the rain has cleared, but the humidity is through the roof. The air is heavy. The Duke ball will hoop around corners today. If yesterday was tough for England, this morning session could be impossible."
Ravi Shastri: "Look at the Indian huddle. Virat Kohli is fired up. He knows the conditions. He knows the ball will talk. They have 472 runs in the bank. They can afford to attack every single ball."
Jasprit Bumrah, who had taken the wicket of Jack Leach on the 4th ball of the 33rd over yesterday before the lights went out, marked his run-up. He had two balls left to complete the over.
Ben Stokes, the England captain, walked out with Jonny Bairstow. Stokes looked grim. He had a mountain to climb, and he was walking into a cauldron of hostility after the altercation with Aarav Pathak in the first innings.
Over 33 (Continued): Jasprit Bumrah to Ben Stokes
Ball 5: Bumrah ran in. He didn't need to warm up; he was hot from yesterday. He angled it across Stokes. Stokes shouldered arms. The ball swung late, teasing the off-stump. Dot.
Ball 6: Bumrah bowled full, searching for the magic delivery first up. Stokes pushed it defensively to mid-off. Dot.
End of Over 33.Score: Eng 80/5.
Over 34:
Virat Kohli threw the ball to Aarav Pathak. The crowd buzzed. Everyone remembered the confrontation. Stokes had abused Aarav after his dismissal. Aarav had promised a response. Now, he had the red cherry in hand.
Sourav Ganguly: "Here is the matchup we have been waiting for. Aarav Pathak vs Ben Stokes. There were words exchanged in the first innings. Slurs, allegedly. Aarav didn't take kindly to it. He has a point to prove."
Ravi Shastri: "And in these conditions? With his pace? Stokes better be wearing an extra chest guard. Aarav is not just bowling at the stumps today; he is bowling at the man."
Ball 1: Jonny Bairstow on strike. Aarav ran in. He looked rhythmic. But as he released the ball, he rolled his fingers slightly. 135 kmph. It swung massively in the air, hooping into the pads. Bairstow was early on the flick. He adjusted well, keeping it down. Dot.
Michael Atherton: "Movement straight away. Started slower to find the swing. That moved a good foot in the air."
Ball 2: Aarav slowed it down further. He bowled a wobble-seam delivery. 129 kmph. It pitched on a length and just sat there. Bairstow defended comfortably. Aarav stared at Bairstow, then glanced at Stokes at the non-striker's end. He was setting the trap. Lulling them into a false sense of security regarding the pace.
Ball 3: Aarav walked back to his mark. He didn't look tired. He looked coiled. He ran in. The arm speed doubled. 148.2 kmph. From 129 to 148 in one ball. Bairstow was rushed. The ball exploded off the surface, jagged back, and hit him on the thigh pad before he could bring the bat down. A stifled appeal. Going down leg. Dot.
Sourav Ganguly: "That is the danger. The variation in pace. He lulls you to sleep and then wakes you up with a slap. Bairstow was late on that."
Ball 4: Aarav kept the pace up. 149.1 kmph. Full and wide. Bairstow reached out and drove. Not timed perfectly, but it squirted through point. They ran a single. 1 Run.
The crowd noise changed. It wasn't cheers; it was a murmur of anticipation. Ben Stokes took guard. He scratched the crease mark aggressively. Aarav stood at the top of his mark. He didn't do any fancy warm-ups. He just locked eyes with Stokes. Remember what you said? his eyes seemed to ask.
Ball 5: Aarav steamed in. He didn't hold anything back. He didn't bowl a yorker. He didn't bowl a length ball. He aimed for the head. 149.5 kmph. A searing bouncer. Directed straight at the helmet. The humid air made it skid off the pitch faster than Stokes anticipated. Stokes tried to hook—his instinctive 'Bazball' reaction. But the ball was too fast. It got big on him. He tried to pull his head out of the way. CLANG.
The ball smashed into the side of the helmet, near the grill. It deflected sharply, looping over the slip cordon. Rishabh Pant ran back, diving, but it landed safely.
Ravi Shastri (Excited): "Hit him! That has rattled the cage! 150 clicks straight to the head! Stokes tried to take it on but was beaten for sheer pace! That sounded terrible!"
Aarav didn't apologize. He didn't walk up to check. He walked straight back to his mark, kicking the turf. The Indian fielders—Kohli, Pant—ran up. The English physio sprinted onto the ground. Concussion protocol.
Michael Atherton: "That is hostile. No hand raised in apology from Aarav. This is personal. He wanted to hurt him. The ball kissed the badge on the helmet."
Stokes waved the physio away after a quick check. He adjusted his helmet. His ego was bruised more than his head. He glared at Aarav. Aarav chewed his gum, looking back with a cold, dead stare.
Ball 6: The physio left. The game resumed. Stokes was rattled. His feet weren't moving. Aarav bowled a perfect outswinger on the fourth stump line. 148 kmph. Stokes poked at it, feet stuck in cement. Beaten. The ball whistled past the edge. Pant collected it and clapped. "Chad gaya! (He's on top!)"
End of Over 34.Score: Eng 81/5.
Sunil Gavaskar: "That over was a statement. He played with the speeds, set Bairstow up, and then unleashed hell on Stokes. The mental disintegration has begun. Stokes is the captain, he is the key, but right now, he looks like a man in a boxing ring with his hands tied."
Ravi Shastri: "And the conditions... look at the cloud cover. It's dark. The lights are on. Aarav Pathak with a swinging Dukes ball at 150 kmph is the last thing England wants to face on a Saturday morning."
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Over 35:
Jasprit Bumrah returned for his second over of the morning. He had watched Aarav rattle Ben Stokes in the previous over, hitting him on the helmet. Now, he wanted to capitalize on that discomfort. But Jonny Bairstow, batting on 30, decided it was time to counter-punch. The "Bazball" philosophy demanded aggression when cornered.
Ball 1: Bumrah ran in, angling it into the stumps. Bairstow cleared his front leg. He didn't defend. He swatted it. A cross-batted thump over mid-on. FOUR.
Ravi Shastri: "Intent! That is the word. Bairstow says, 'I am not going to let you dictate terms.' He takes on the Indian captain immediately."
Ball 2: Bumrah corrected his length, dragging it back. Bairstow was waiting. He swiveled and pulled it ferociously in front of square. It raced to the boundary. FOUR.
Nasser Hussain: "Two in a row! He is fighting fire with fire! The crowd is waking up! Bairstow moves to 38 in a blink."
Ball 3: Bumrah went for the yorker. He missed slightly—a low full toss. Bairstow drove it straight down the ground. Mid-off was up. FOUR.
Sunil Gavaskar: "This is breathtaking counter-attack! Three boundaries off the best bowler in the world! Bairstow has decided that the best form of defense is attack. England moves to 93/5."
The rest of the over saw Bumrah tighten up, but the damage was done. 12 runs from the over.
Over 36:
Virat Kohli threw the ball back to Aarav Pathak. The battle with Ben Stokes resumed. Stokes was visibly angry after the helmet blow. Aarav was visibly calm, chewing his gum.
Ball 1: Aarav steamed in. 149 kmph. He bowled a perfect outswinger on the fourth stump line. Stokes, feet stuck in cement, poked at it. The ball whistled past the edge. Pant collected it and clapped. "Oye hoye! Darr lag raha hai! (He's scared!)"
Ball 2: Aarav went fuller. Inswinger. Stokes tried to drive but the ball jagged back in sharply. It cut him in half, missing the inside edge and the off-stump by a coat of varnish. Stokes looked back at his stumps, exhaling sharply.
Michael Atherton: "That is unplayable. At that pace, with that movement? You just have to pray. Stokes has no answer to this."
Ball 3: Aarav changed the angle. He went wide of the crease. He angled it into the pads. Stokes fell over, trying to flick. THUD. Aarav went up. "HOWZAT!" It looked close. Very close. The Umpire shook his head. Not Out.
Aarav looked at Kohli. "Height?" Kohli chatted with Pant. "Thoda high lag raha hai (Looks a bit high)," Pant murmured. "Going over leg maybe." Kohli decided not to review. Replays later showed it was Umpire's Call on hitting. Good decision not to burn a review.
Ball 4-6: The rest of the over was a clinic. Aarav beat the bat twice more. Stokes couldn't get bat on ball. He looked like a cat on a hot tin roof. Maiden Over.
Ravi Shastri: "That was a probing examination. Aarav Pathak has Ben Stokes on a string. He didn't get the wicket, but he won the over convincingly."
The Siege (Overs 37-47)
For the next hour, Test cricket returned to its purest form. The flurry of boundaries from Bairstow stopped. Why? Because the Indian bowlers stopped giving him anything to hit.
Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj replaced the opening bowlers. They bowled a channel outside off-stump that was boringly, beautifully consistent.
Over 40 (Shami to Bairstow): Leave. Leave. Leave. Play and miss. Leave. Block. Maiden.
Over 42 (Siraj to Stokes): Bouncer. Duck. Length. Block. Fuller. Drive to mid-off (no run). Maiden.
Nasser Hussain: "This is the other side of Bazball. When the bowling is this good, you can't just swing. Shami and Siraj have put the handbrake on. Bairstow has gone into a shell. He hasn't scored a run for 20 minutes."
Sunil Gavaskar: "It's the discipline. Kohli has set fields that cut off the singles. Mid-off and mid-on are up. If you want to score, you have to hit over the top, which is risky against the moving ball."
The Stats (Last 10 Overs):
Runs Scored: 18
Wickets: 0
Boundaries: 0
Maidens: 6
The crowd at Edgbaston went silent. The Barmy Army's trumpet was muted. It was a grind. England crawled past 110. Bairstow was stuck on 42. Stokes was on 9.
Ravi Shastri: "India is squeezing the life out of this innings. 362 runs ahead. They don't need to chase wickets; the wickets will come if they keep this pressure. Jonny Bairstow, who hit 3 fours in an over off Bumrah, has now played 30 dots in a row. That tells you the story."
As the players broke for drinks, Kohli walked up to his bowlers. "Patience," Kohli said, clapping his hands. "They are frustrated. A loose shot is coming. Just keep it there."
Aarav, fielding at mid-off, watched Stokes. The England captain looked restless. The trap was set.
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The siege had lasted for over an hour. Runs were trickling like water from a frozen tap. The crowd was agitated, the batsmen were restless, and Virat Kohli sensed the breaking point was near.
Kohli, standing at first slip, began to turn up the volume. He wasn't just clapping anymore; he was talking. Constant, rhythmic chatter directed at Jonny Bairstow. "Not scoring runs now, Jonny? Cat got your tongue? Where is the Bazball?"
Bairstow glared back, muttering under his breath. Ben Stokes, at the non-striker's end, walked down the pitch to have a word with Bairstow. As they crossed Kohli, something was said. A sharp exchange.
Stokes stopped. He turned towards Kohli. Bairstow joined him. Suddenly, the two English batsmen were walking purposefully towards the Indian Captain. It wasn't a friendly chat. Chests were puffed out. Fingers were pointed.
Ravi Shastri: "Hello! Tempers are fraying down there! Stokes and Bairstow have had enough of the chatter, and they are marching towards Kohli! This is getting heated!"
From the gully region, Aarav Pathak saw the movement. He didn't hesitate. He tossed the ball to the umpire and sprinted towards the slip cordon. Shubman Gill ran in from covers.
Aarav reached the group just as Stokes got within touching distance of Kohli. Aarav stepped in between them. At 6'2", he towered over the group. He didn't push; he just used his frame as a wall. He looked down at Stokes, his face stone cold.
"Back off, Ben," Aarav said, his voice low but menacing. "Play the game."
Stokes looked up at the young pacer who had hit him on the helmet earlier. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Words were exchanged—sharp, aggressive, unprintable.
Aleem Dar and Richard Kettleborough rushed in, separating the players. "Enough!" Dar shouted, pushing Stokes back. "Get back to the crease! Virat, calm your team down!"
As the group dispersed, Aarav turned to Kohli. He didn't say a word. He just raised his hand. Kohli slapped it—a high-five that echoed like a gunshot. The message was clear: We are in this together.
Nasser Hussain: "It's boiling over! This is what Test cricket does to you. The pressure is immense. Kohli is under their skin, and Aarav Pathak is right there as the enforcer. England needs to be careful not to lose their heads."
Over 49:
Ravindra Jadeja rushed through his over, keeping the tension high. Then, Kohli threw the ball to Aarav Pathak. The crowd booed. The Barmy Army jeered. Aarav loved it.
Ball 1: Ben Stokes on strike. The adrenaline was pumping through his veins. He wanted to smash Aarav out of Birmingham. Aarav ran in. He bowled a length ball, wide outside off. Stokes threw his hands at it—a violent slash. He missed. Dot.
Michael Atherton: "Stokes is playing with anger. That is dangerous against a bowler of this quality. He needs to calm down."
Ball 2: Aarav walked back to his mark. He wiped the ball. He took a deep breath, channeling the chaos of the last few minutes into focus. He ran in. 151.4 kmph. He angled it into the left-hander from round the wicket. Stokes expected the angle to take it across him or straighten. He played for the line. But the ball swung. A late, prodigious inswinger—reverse swing starting to show? Or just brilliance? It snaked past the inside edge of Stokes' bat. It crashed into the middle and leg stump. The sound of timber shattering was the sweetest music to the Indians.
Ravi Shastri (THUNDEROUS): "BOWLED HIM! THROUGH THE GATE! Aarav Pathak wins the battle! Ben Stokes is left looking at his shattered stumps! He is shocked! Look at his face! He cannot believe it! The aggression backfires, and India gets the Captain!"
Sunil Gavaskar: "That is the perfect response! No words needed! Just a 151 kmph inswinger that rips the heart out of England! Look at Kohli! Look at Aarav! They are pumped!"
Stokes stood there for a second, mouth open, staring at the mess behind him. He looked at the pitch, then at Aarav, who was being mobbed by his teammates. Stokes walked off, head down. The psychological war was lost.
Sam Billings walked out to the middle. The situation was dire. Trailing by 352 runs. Aarav was still steaming.
Ball 3: Billings took guard. Aarav bowled a short of a length delivery. Billings defended awkwardly off the back foot. Dot.
Ball 4:154.1 kmph. The speed gun flashed red. Aarav bowled a yorker. Billings just about managed to dig it out. The bat jarred in his hands. Dot.
Ball 5: Outswinger. Billings left it alone. Dot.
Ball 6: Aarav finished the over with a bouncer. Billings ducked. Dot.
Wicket Maiden.
Over 50: Ravindra Jadeja to Jonny Bairstow
Something shifted in Jonny Bairstow. Seeing his captain fall, seeing the Indians celebrating, feeling the sledging... it ignited the fire. He decided he wasn't going to block anymore.
Ball 1: Jadeja fired it in. Bairstow stepped out and smashed it over extra cover. Inside-out. FOUR.
Ball 2: Bairstow swept hard. FOUR.
Nasser Hussain: "Here we go! The beast has woken up! Bairstow decides to counter-attack! If he goes down, he goes down swinging!"
For the next hour, the game changed complexion again. Sam Billings, usually an aggressive ODI player, decided to match Bairstow's intent. He wasn't hanging around to defend.
Over 55: Mohammed Shami Billings played a ramp shot over the slips. FOUR. Then he drove Shami down the ground. FOUR. He was striking at 80.
Over 58: Aarav Pathak to Jonny Bairstow Bairstow was now in the zone. The zone where he sees the ball like a football. Aarav bowled fast. Bairstow used the pace. He pulled Aarav for FOUR in front of square. Next ball, he slashed a wide one over point for FOUR.
Nasser Husain: "This is high-quality batting from England. They were cornered, and they have come out fighting. Bairstow is leading the charge, but Billings is playing a gem of an innings here. The run rate has shot up to 5 an over."
Ravi Shastri: "Kohli is looking frustrated. The field is spreading. The sledging has stopped because the bat is doing the talking now. India needs to break this stand before it becomes dangerous. The lead is still approx 300, but momentum is shifting."
Score Summary (Post-Stokes Wicket):
Partnership: 65 runs in 10 overs. England: 185/6.
The battle was far from over. Aarav had won the duel with Stokes, but the war with Bairstow was just heating up.
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As the partnership between Bairstow and Billings threatened to touch the 100-run mark, Virat Kohli turned to his senior pros. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami were brought back in tandem to exploit the slightly older ball, which had started to reverse.
Over 60: Jasprit Bumrah Bumrah was relentless. He bowled full, attacking the stumps, forcing Billings to dig them out. Maiden Over.
Over 61: Mohammed Shami to Sam Billings Shami, running in with that upright seam position, hit the deck hard.
Ball 1: Billings played and missed.
Ball 2: Shami went wider. Billings left it.
Ball 3: Shami bowled the "heavy ball"—back of a length, nipping away just a fraction. Sam Billings, feeling the adrenaline of bazball, had a tentative poke to find the gap for a 4. He tried to withdraw his bat, but the ball followed him. Snick. It flew fast and low to the first slip. Virat Kohli, standing alert, crouched low and snapped it up with bucket hands.
Ravi Shastri: "Shami breaks the stand! He always does! Just when England looked like rebuilding, Shami finds the edge. Sam Billings goes for a fighting 36. Kohli makes no mistake at first slip. India are into the tail now!"
Score: Eng 196/7
Stuart Broad walked out. Known for his "Nighthawk" ability to swing the bat, but today, Bairstow had a different plan. He was on 82. He decided to shield Broad completely.
Overs 62-65: The Bairstow Tactics Bairstow refused singles. He hit boundaries off the first few balls if possible, or blocked five balls and took a single on the sixth. He moved into the 90s with a savage pull shot off Bumrah.
Score: Eng 215/7. Bairstow: 91*.
Kohli looked at Aarav Pathak.
Aarav took the ball. He walked to his mark. He bent down, touching his toes, stretching his hamstrings. He looked at Bairstow. The battle from the morning session—the helmet hit, the staring—it was all building up to this.
Over 66: Aarav Pathak
Ball 1: Aarav steamed in. 148 kmph. Length ball, angling in. Bairstow defended it back to the bowler. Bairstow shouted "No!" to Broad. He wanted the strike. Dot.
Ball 2: Aarav changed his grip. The wobble seam. He bowled it fuller, inviting the drive. Bairstow's eyes lit up. He saw the century beckoning. He went for a lofted drive over covers. But the ball stopped on him. It hit the splice of the bat. It went high in the air. Skied towards deep extra cover. Mayank Agarwal, ran back from cover. He got under it. He steadied himself. The crowd held its breath. The ball hit his hands... and popped out. He juggled it once, twice... and dropped it.
Nasser Hussain: "DROPPED! OH NO! Mayank Agarwal has put down Jonny Bairstow on 91! That was a dolly by international standards! He did all the hard work getting there and then spilled it! Aarav Pathak cannot believe it!"
Bairstow and Broad ran two while Mayank recovered the ball. 2 Runs. Bairstow moves to 93.
Aarav stood at the end of his follow-through, hands on his hips. He didn't scream. He just stared at Mayank, then walked back to his mark. His face was a mask of cold fury.
Ball 3: Bairstow, reprieved, felt invincible. He thought it was his day. Aarav ran in again. He saw Bairstow shaping for the big shot again. Aarav rolled his fingers over the ball. The Off-Cutter. It was slower—128 kmph. It was wide. Bairstow had already committed to a flat-batted slap through point. He was through the shot early. He hit it hard. Flat. Like a bullet. It was traveling to the right of point, where Mayank Agarwal had moved after the drop.
Mayank didn't have time to think. He reacted. He flung himself to his right. A full-length dive. He snatched the ball out of thin air with two hands. He hit the ground and rolled, holding the ball aloft.
Harsha Bhogle (Ecstatic): "HE'S TAKEN IT! REDEMPTION! MAYANK AGARWAL! He dropped the skier, but he catches the rocket! That was traveling like a tracer bullet! He plucks it out of the air! Aarav Pathak gets his man! Jonny Bairstow falls for 93! The danger man is gone!"
Sanjay Manjrekar: "Cricket is a funny game! The impossible catch is taken immediately after the simple drop! Aarav deceived him with the slower ball, and Bairstow hit it straight to the man he had just thanked for the life!"
Jonny Bairstow c Mayank b Aarav 93 (108)Score: Eng 217/8
As Bairstow walked off, devastatingly close to a century, the dark clouds that had been gathering finally burst. It started as a drizzle but turned heavy within seconds. The umpires called for the covers.
"RAIN STOPPED PLAY."
Tea Break taken early.
Score: Eng 217/8. Trailing by: 255 runs.
The rain cleared after 40 minutes. The outfield was damp, but play resumed under the floodlights. Virat Kohli wanted to wrap this up quickly. He brought on Mohammed Siraj, the energy bunny of the team.
Over 68: Mohammed Siraj to Stuart Broad
Ball 1: Siraj ran in. He bowled a short ball. Broad tried to hook. He wasn't looking at the ball. Top edge. It flew to fine leg. Shardul Thakur took a simple catch.
Ravi Shastri: "Siraj strikes first ball after the break! Stuart Broad goes! The resistance is crumbling. 9 down!"
Stuart Broad c Thakur b Siraj 1 (5)Score: Eng 220/9
Last Man:James Anderson. Matty Potts was at the other end.
Over 70: Mohammed Siraj to Matty Potts
Potts tried to hit out. He swung at a length ball. He missed. The ball crashed into the stumps.
Nasser Hussain: "And that is that! Siraj cleans up the tail! England bowled out for 223! India takes a massive lead of 249 runs! It has been a dominant display from the visitors."
INNINGS BREAK
England 1st Innings: 223 All Out (70.3 Overs)
Ravi Shastri: "A lead of 249 runs. In England. That is mammoth. Virat Kohli has a decision to make. Does he enforce the follow-on? Or does he bat them out of the game?"
Sourav Ganguly: "Bat. Always bat. The bowlers have bowled 70 overs. Give them a rest. Pile on the misery. If India bats for two sessions tomorrow, England will be chasing 500+. The game is in India's pocket."
Nasser Hussain: "It's a long way back for England. They had moments Bairstow played brilliantly but they lost wickets in clusters. Aarav Pathak's spell with the new ball and then getting Bairstow at the end... he was the difference. 4 wickets for the cheat code for India and Danger Man for England."
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The 20-minute innings break was a welcome respite for Aarav Pathak. He had bowled 21 overs of high-intensity pace, picked up 4 wickets, and engaged in a psychological war with the England captain. His body was aching, adrenaline slowly giving way to fatigue and needs rest and need time for mind to visualize batting.
He sat in the corner of the dressing room, pads strapped on loosely, a towel over his head. Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal were adjusting their helmets, ready to walk out.
Aarav lifted the towel. "Boys," he called out, his voice weary but firm. Gill and Mayank turned. "Do me a favor," Aarav said, cracking a tired smile. "Bat a little longer this time. I am feeling it in the legs. There are maybe 30-35 overs left in the day. Do a miracle. Play 20-25 overs. Let me sleep in this chair."
Gill laughed, tightening his gloves. "Don't worry, Bro. We'll bat till stumps. You take a nap." Mayank nodded. "We got this."
As the openers walked out, Aarav leaned back, closing his eyes. Finally, some rest.
James Anderson stood at the top of his mark. The cloud cover was heavy. The lights were on. The Dukes ball was brand new. It was the perfect storm.
Ball 1: Anderson to Gill. Anderson pitched it up, looking for swing. Gill, perhaps overconfident or just in T20 mode, didn't wait. He leaned into a glorious cover drive. The ball raced across the lush outfield. FOUR.
Ravi Shastri: "What a start! First ball of the second innings! Gill is telling Anderson that the lead is 250 and we aren't afraid! That is a statement shot!"
Aarav, hearing the cheer, smiled in his chair. Good boy, Shubman.
Ball 2: Anderson corrected his length. Good length, channel outside off. Gill defended solidly. Dot.
Ball 3: Anderson went slightly wider on the crease. He bowled a heavy ball—back of a length, angling in sharply but then holding its line and shaping away late with extra bounce. Gill, emboldened by the first ball, went hard at it. He tried to punch it off the back foot through covers. It was the wrong shot. The bounce surprised him. The movement defeated him. Thick Snick. The ball flew fast and chest-high to Zak Crawley at second slip. Crawley didn't have to move. It hit him in the chest, and he clasped it safely.
Michael Atherton: "Gone! Oh, Shubman! What have you done? A loose shot against the master! Extra bounce, moving away, and he goes hard at it! Straight to second slip! Anderson strikes in the first over again! India 4 for 1!"
Shubman Gill c Crawley b Anderson 4 (3)Score: India 4/1
In the dressing room, Aarav's eyes snapped open at the sound of the groan from the crowd. He looked at the TV screen. Gill was walking back. Aarav sighed, a long, deep exhale of resignation. He stood up, grabbing his helmet and gloves. "So much for the nap," he muttered, walking past a sympathetic Rahul Dravid.
Aarav walked out to the middle. The applause was loud, but he looked grumpy. He tapped the pitch aggressively. He marked his guard. Anderson looked at him. The battle resumed.
Overs 2-13: The Stabilization
Aarav and Mayank Agarwal settled in. Aarav, despite his fatigue, was impeccable. His footwork was precise. He left everything that wasn't hitting the stumps. Mayank, eager to prove himself after the first innings failure, played a supporting role.
Over 5 (Broad): Aarav played a back-foot punch for FOUR.
Over 8 (Potts): Mayank flicked through mid-wicket for FOUR.
Over 12 (Anderson): Aarav drove straight past the bowler. FOUR.
They rotated the strike well, taking singles, pushing the lead past 280.
Score after 13 Overs: India 38/1.
Drinks Break. Aarav drank an energy drink. "My eyes are heavy," he told the physio. "But the ball is coming on nicely."
Over 16: Matty Potts to Mayank Agarwal
Matty Potts returned for a new spell.
Ball 2: Potts bowled a short ball. It wasn't very short, but it hurried onto Mayank. Mayank tried to pull. He was late. The ball hit the splice of the bat and lobbed gently to Ben Stokes at mid-on. A soft dismissal.
Sunil Gavaskar: "Oh dear. That is a gift. Mayank Agarwal works hard for 15 overs and then chips it to the fielder. India 42 for 2. They are making this harder than it needs to be."
Mayank Agarwal c Stokes b Potts 17 (45)Score: India 42/2
Virat Kohli walked out. The crowd roared. Kohli met Aarav in the middle. "Tired?" Kohli asked, noticing Aarav stretching his back. "Exhausted," Aarav admitted. "Good," Kohli smirked. "Tired minds focus better. Let's bat till stumps."
For the next hour, Birmingham witnessed a clinic. It wasn't a blitzkrieg; it was a rhythmic dismantling of the English attack.
Over 20: James Anderson to Aarav Pathak Anderson bowled full. Aarav leaned into a cover drive. FOUR. Next ball, Anderson went straighter. Aarav clipped it for 2 runs.
Over 22: Jack Leach to Virat Kohli Kohli used his feet. He came down the track and whipped Leach against the spin through mid-wicket. FOUR. Next ball, he played a delicate late cut. FOUR.
Ravi Shastri: "This is beautiful to watch. The King and the Prince. They are matching each other shot for shot. Strike rotation is key here. They are running the English fielders ragged."
Aarav reached 40. Kohli reached 20. The lead crossed 300.
Over 28: Stuart Broad to Aarav Pathak Broad tried the leg-cutter. Aarav waited. He opened the face and guided it past gully. FOUR.
Michael Atherton: "He makes it look so easy. He just absorbs the pressure and then releases it with a boundary. India is completely in control now. Lead is 320. England look flat."
The shadows lengthened. The day was drawing to a close. Aarav and Kohli were unbeaten. The partnership was blossoming. Score: India 95/2. Lead: 344 runs.
As the umpires checked the light, Aarav leaned on his bat, watching Kohli shadow practice. The nap was forgotten. The rhythm was found.
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As the clock ticked past 6:00 PM, the familiar Birmingham gloom descended upon Edgbaston. The floodlights were burning at full intensity, creating long, stark shadows across the pitch. The red Dukes ball was becoming harder to pick up against the dark sightscreen.
Virat Kohli and Aarav Pathak had stitched together a partnership. It was high-quality Test match batting—leaving the good ones, punishing the bad ones, and running hard. But fatigue was setting in. Aarav had been on the field for the better part of three days, bowling fiery spells and now batting to save the game... or rather, to win it.
Over 32: Ben Stokes to Aarav Pathak
Ben Stokes, the England captain, brought himself back into the attack. He knew the light was fading. He knew the umpires were checking their meters. He needed a breakthrough before stumps to give his team a glimmer of hope.
Ball 1: Stokes ran in with renewed energy. He banged it in short. Aarav ducked. It was a slow bouncer. Dot.
Ball 2: Stokes went full, searching for swing. Aarav drove it to mid-off. He took a few steps but Kohli sent him back. Dot.
Ball 3: Aarav on 40. He wanted to get to his fifty before the close of play. Stokes bowled a cutter. It gripped and moved away. Aarav played inside the line perfectly. Dot.
Michael Atherton: "You can sense the urgency in Stokes. He knows they might only have 10 or 15 minutes left. He is trying to make something happen. Aarav just needs to stay patient."
Over 34: Ben Stokes Continues
Aarav moved to 44 with a glorious flick through mid-wicket off Anderson in the previous over. He was one hit away from another half-century.
Ball 1: Stokes to Aarav. Stokes went round the wicket. He angled it into the ribs. Aarav nudged it to square leg. 1 Run. (Moves to 45).
Ball 2: Kohli took a single.
Ball 3: Aarav on strike. 45 runs. Stokes steamed in. He didn't look at the umpire; he looked at the stumps. He bowled a leg-cutter on a good length. Aarav, perhaps anticipating the short ball given Stokes' aggressive field, was caught on the crease. He tried to push at it with hard hands—a rare technical lapse induced by mental fatigue. The ball gripped. It took the outside edge. It wasn't a clean catch. It flew low and fast to Joe Root at first slip. Root dived to his left and plucked it inches from the turf.
Ravi Shastri: "He's nicked it! Stokes breaks the stand! Aarav Pathak falls just short of a well-deserved fifty! The fatigue just crept in there. A poke at a ball he could have left. England have a lifeline late in the day!"
Sourav Ganguly: "It's the tired mind, Ravi. He's been relentless for three days. That split-second lapse in concentration is all Stokes needed. Aarav goes for 48. A crucial knock, but he will be gutted not to be there tomorrow morning."
Aarav Pathak c Root b Stokes 48 (76)Score: India 125/3 Lead: 377 runs
As Aarav turned to walk back, dragging his bat slightly, the umpires—Aleem Dar and Richard Kettleborough—came together. They looked at the light meter. They looked at the dark clouds. They looked at Ben Stokes celebrating.
Aleem Dar shook his head. He waved his hand. "That's it! Stumps!"
The bails were removed immediately. The day was done.
Michael Atherton: "Drama right at the end! For the second day in a row, a wicket falls and the umpires call stumps immediately! Aarav Pathak is the last casualty of Day 3. India finishes on 125/3, with a massive lead of 377. But that wicket will give England something to talk about over dinner."
Aarav stopped near the boundary rope. He looked back at the pitch. 48 runs. Two runs short of a milestone. He slammed his gloves together in frustration. It wasn't about the stats; it was about finishing the job. He wanted to be the one to drive the final nail in the coffin tomorrow. Now, someone else would have to do it.
Virat Kohli jogged up to him. The King looked fresh, despite the long day. He put a heavy arm around Aarav's shoulder.
"Head up, Aarav," Kohli said, his voice firm but kind. "You did the job. You blunted the new ball. You built the lead. 377 is enough."
"I wanted to stay," Aarav muttered, his eyes stinging with sweat and exhaustion. "I wanted to bat tomorrow."
"I know," Kohli squeezed his shoulder. "But look at you. You're running on fumes. Go sleep. We have Rishabh and Shreyas to smash them tomorrow. You earned your rest."
Aarav nodded slowly. Kohli was right. His legs felt like lead. His back, after bowling 16 overs and batting for two hours, was screaming.
They walked up the stairs to the dressing room. The Indian team was clapping them in. Rahul Dravid was waiting at the door. "Well played, Aarav," Dravid said. "Go ice that shoulder."
Aarav walked into the changing room. He threw his helmet into his locker. He sat down on the bench and began unstrapping his pads. His movements were slow, mechanical.
Rishabh Pant bounded over. "Oye! 48 is good! Why the sad face? We are winning!"
"I'm not sad, Spidey," Aarav sighed, pulling off his pads and tossing them aside. "I'm just... done."
"Team meeting in 10 minutes!" Paras Mhambrey announced. "Strategy for tomorrow declaration."
Aarav stood up. He walked over to Kohli, who was wiping his face with a towel.
"Virat bhai," Aarav said quietly.
Kohli turned. "Yeah?"
"I'm skipping the meeting," Aarav said. It wasn't a request. "I know the plan. Bat till lunch, set 500, bowl them out. I need to sleep. If I don't sleep now, I won't be able to bowl tomorrow."
Kohli looked at him. He saw the dark circles, the slump in the shoulders. He saw a player who had given 110% for three days straight.
"Go," Kohli nodded. "Take the physio with you if you need a massage. But sleep. I want you firing at 150 clicks in the fourth innings."
"Thanks."
Aarav grabbed his bag. He didn't shower at the ground. He didn't eat the team dinner. He walked out of the dressing room, past the media zone (ignoring the requests for interviews), and straight to the team bus which was doing a shuttle run for support staff.
Thirty minutes later, he was in his room at the Hyatt Regency. He stripped off the sweaty whites, leaving them in a pile on the floor. He took a long, hot shower, letting the water beat against his sore muscles. He didn't order room service. He didn't check his phone. He didn't check Instagram to see the praise for his 48.
He collapsed onto the bed. The blackout curtains were drawn. The room was pitch black. Within seconds, the frustration of the wicket, the noise of the Barmy Army, the pressure of the Vice-Captaincy—it all vanished.
Aarav Pathak, the Seth of Indian Cricket, was asleep before his head fully settled on the pillow. The war would continue tomorrow. But tonight, the soldier needed to rest.
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