Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj shone with the ball as India bowled out England for 407 in their first innings to take the all-important lead. Akash struck twice on the second day's play and dismissed Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks. He followed up with two wickets on the third day to take a four-fer in his first outing in England. On day 3, he scalped the crucial wicket of Harry Brook, who scored a crucial 158 off 234 balls.

After the end of the day's play, the right-arm pacer said that he wasn't sure of playing the Lord's Test despite his heroics in Birmingham. He made his Test debut against England in February 2024. This is his first Test appearance since December 2024.

"We have only two days for this Test match, and this match is very important for us to win. So, I am not thinking about the third match at all. I believe that I have to put my energy in these two days. After that, I will consider it. The team will decide whether I will play or not. No, not at all. I don't know if I'll play. The team makes this decision. We get to know one day before the game," Akash said.

After getting two early wickets in the first session on day 3, India struggled as Jamie Smith and Brook added a 303-run partnership for the third wicket. Akash provided India with the much-needed wicket of Brook and there was no looking back for the visitors after that.

Siraj, who scalped one wicket on day 2, took a six-fer. He took the lead role in Jasprit Bumrah's absence. With Bumrah likely to return at Lord's, one of the pacers might have to make way for him if India once again play an extra spinner.

The Shubman Gill-led side finished day 3 with a score of 64/1 on the board after 13 overs. India, who are aiming for their first Test series win in England since 2007, lead by 244 runs.