A commanding batting display by the top order of the home team powered them to a 345-run lead on Day 2 of the third Test match at Headingley in Leeds. While Joe Root led from the front with a scintillating 121, the right-hander was well supported by the top order as they contributed with half-centuries to set up the game and end the day on 423/8.

Displaying an array of strokes all around the park, Root smashed his third hundred of the series to enthral a near capacity crowd at his home ground. Although he was undone by an incoming delivery from Jasprit Bumrah in the final hour of the day, his masterclass helped England seize control in this Test.

Earlier in the day, the opening combination of Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed set up a solid foundation with a 135 run partnership before the southpaw was dismissed for a well compiled 61 courtesy of an incoming delivery from Mohammed Shami. 

With wickets hard to come and the surface conducive for batting, Virat Kohli turned to Ravindra Jadeja for some magic. The left-arm spinner created an immediate impact as he cleaned up Hameed with a beauty for 68. 

Despite two wickets, the home team looked in absolute control as David Malan and skipper Root motored along in the second session of the innings. Making a comeback to the national side in the longest format, Malan notched up a well-crafted 70 before edging one behind to Rishabh Pant at the stroke of Tea.

With a flurry of wickets in the final session of the day, the visiting side staged a mini-comeback to ensure England are restricted to 423/8 at stumps. Day 3 promises to be an exciting contest as the Indian team will look to wrap up the lower order and bat well to crawl their way back in this Test.