IND vs ENG: Jack Crawley drops easy catch of Rishabh Pant in Test match

A crucial dropped catch by Zak Crawley may have cost England dearly in the ongoing Test match against India. In a dominant second-innings display, India declared at 427 for 6, setting England a mammoth target of 608 runs. The turning point of the innings came when Rishabh Pant, batting on just 11, was dropped by Crawley at mid-off—a relatively straightforward chance. Pant went on to punish the English bowlers, scoring a rapid 65 runs. He especially targeted spinner Shoaib Bashir, hitting several boundaries and sixes to keep the momentum with India.

Pant found strong support from opener Shubman Gill, who played a masterful innings of 161 runs. Their partnership proved to be the backbone of India’s innings and helped establish a massive lead. Notably, Crawley had also dropped Pant in the first innings, making this the second costly error of the match. Pant’s typically aggressive style was on full display once again, lifting India’s scoring rate and demoralizing England’s bowling attack. The missed opportunity to dismiss him early not only shifted the momentum but may have also changed the course of the match.

England’s response to the daunting target got off to a disastrous start. The top order crumbled under pressure, with three key wickets falling for just 50 runs. Mohammed Siraj struck early to dismiss Zak Crawley for a duck, while Akash Deep removed both Ben Duckett and Joe Root in quick succession. With the Indian bowlers maintaining relentless pressure, England finds itself in deep trouble. As the final day approaches, only a miracle can save them from defeat. The match is firmly in India’s control, and unless England mounts an extraordinary comeback, the visitors are poised for a resounding victory.