Headingley Test: Joe Root 121, Dawid Malan punish Indian bowlers as England take commanding lead on Day 2

JRoot, the world's leading batsman in 2021, top-scored with 121 and equalled Kevin Pietersen's tally of hundred to be joint-second in England's all-time list. The century was Root's third of the series and 8th against India, which is the most by any batsman in England-India Tests.

Mohammed Shami picked 3 wickets for India while Ravindra Jadeja bagged a couple. Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah took one each but the bowling remained unimpressive for the major part of the day.

ENG vs IND, 3rd TEST DAY 2: HIGHLIGHTS

England skipper Joe Root batted like dream to hit his third successive hundred of the series to put his side in the commanding position on Day 2 of the third Test against India at Headingley on Thursday. Having bundled out India for a paltry 78, England's top order fired in unison with Root and Malan leading the way with their 139-run partnership for the 3rd wicket.Malan, a county teammate of Root at Yorkshire, was playing his first Test since 2018. The world's top-ranked batsman in Twenty20 international cricket, Malan was showing he had the technique and patience to thrive in all formats of the game and struck 11 fours in his 128-ball 70.oe Root and Dawid Malan put the Headingley Test virtually past India's reach as England took a commanding lead by the end of play on Day 2 at Headingley on Thursday. Root hit his 23rd hundred while Malan scored his 7th fifty as England reached 410 for 7 at stumps, with a lead of xxx runs over India.Malan, a county teammate of Root at Yorkshire, was playing his first Test since 2018. The world's top-ranked batsman in Twenty20 international cricket, Malan was showing he had the technique and patience to thrive in all formats of the game and struck 11 fours in his 128-ball 70.Root (121) then added 52 with Jonny Bairstow (29) before Bumrah and Shami sent them back in quick succession.

Runs came thick and fast for England on the second day of the third Test as India bowlers appeared toothless despite getting the wickets of Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler in different sessions.

Late wickets in the final session helped the visitors pull things back a bit but it was England's day all throughout.

Resuming on 120-0 after dominating day 1, England lost both openers before lunch. Rory Burns, on his 31st birthday, added just nine to his overnight 52 when he was bowled between bat and pad by Mohammed Shami from around the wicket.

Haseeb Hameed, who was struck on the helmet by a bouncer from Jasprit Bumrah, had 28 straight dot balls before getting bowled by offspinner Ravindra Jadeja for 68 for the second wicket. Hameed had walked off Wednesday unbeaten on 60 but lacked rhythm on the second morning.

England players wore black armbands in honour of Ted Dexter, the former England captain from the 1960s who died on Wednesday. (news from india today.in )