In a decisive moment that shifted the momentum back in India’s favour on Day 3 of the first Test at Headingley, fast bowler Prasidh Krishna delivered a crucial breakthrough by dismissing England’s in-form centurion Ollie Pope. The wicket came at a time when England were mounting a strong response to India’s towering first-innings total, and it marked a turning point in a session brimming with intensity.
Ollie Pope, who had anchored England’s innings with great determination and flair, was looking well set to push the hosts toward a position of strength. His century, filled with elegant strokeplay and composed defence, had taken the sting out of India’s pace attack for a while. Batting on 106, Pope had shown remarkable maturity under pressure, absorbing the early blows and countering spin and pace alike with class.
However, Prasidh Krishna had been working diligently in the background. Bowling with purpose and persistence, he maintained a probing line just outside the off-stump. After a few teasing deliveries that Pope played cautiously, Krishna finally found the outside edge with a fuller ball that nipped just enough to draw the mistake. The thick edge flew to Rishabh Pant, who made no error behind the stumps.
The Indian team erupted in celebration as Pope, England’s best batter of the innings so far, was forced to walk back. It was Krishna’s first wicket of the innings, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. With Pope’s departure, England were suddenly four wickets down and under pressure once more. The timing of the wicket was particularly impactful — coming just as England looked poised to build a long-lasting partnership and chip further into India’s lead.
Pope’s innings of 106 was a valiant one. He had come to the crease after England were rocked early and led the recovery with a confident display of stroke-making. His footwork was sharp, and he picked the gaps effortlessly, neutralizing India’s bowling plans for a significant part of the morning session. His hundred, greeted by loud cheers from the Headingley crowd, gave England a fighting chance.
But Prasidh Krishna’s breakthrough was a reminder of how quickly things can change in Test cricket. For Krishna, who has only recently broken into the Test setup after years of hard work in domestic and white-ball cricket, this moment was a statement — one of readiness, impact, and composure under pressure. His pace, bounce, and disciplined line were key to dismantling England’s most settled batter.
With Pope back in the pavilion and England still trailing by a substantial margin, the pressure shifted onto the shoulders of Ben Stokes and the lower-middle order. India, buoyed by the wicket, tightened the screws with aggressive field placements and unrelenting spells from both ends.
The dismissal also highlighted Rishabh Pant’s growing presence in the match. Fresh from a century and already having taken sharp catches earlier, Pant’s calm collection behind the stumps added another layer to his all-round performance.
As the battle at Headingley raged on, Prasidh Krishna’s crucial strike ensured that India maintained control, reminding England that despite moments of brilliance, breaking through India’s discipline would be no easy task.
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