It could prove to be costly, Ponting says on Siraj's blunder

Dubai: Mohammed Siraj’s costly error may have just turned the tide against India. On the very first ball of the 35th over, Harry Brook mistimed a pull shot and sent the ball spiraling high into the air. Prasidh Krishna began celebrating instantly, convinced a crucial breakthrough was imminent. Siraj got under the ball, completed the catch—but then stepped back and brushed the boundary rope with his heel. What should’ve been a wicket turned into six runs.

Realising the gravity of his mistake, Siraj buried his face in his hands. The miss proved even more painful as Brook capitalised on the lifeline, surviving the session unbeaten and is comfortably nearing his century.

“What was he thinking? He didn’t need to move to take the catch. That could be a very costly mistake. Brook is still in there, reading the bowlers brilliantly. He plays Test cricket the way you’d approach T20—anticipating, reading, attacking,” Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting told Sky Sports.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri relished the intensity of the session, praising both teams for their spirited contest. “That was Test cricket at its finest,” Shastri remarked. “The first hour was tense—tight bowling, lots of chatter, and fielders constantly pressuring the batters.”

India had made early inroads, with Prasidh and Siraj reducing England to 106/3 while chasing 373. But Brook’s aggressive counterattack shifted the momentum. For Shastri, Brook's approach mirrored that of Rishabh Pant at his best. “India got those early wickets, but then came the counter. In that seesaw battle, England seized the moment. Harry Brook reminded me of Pant—intentional, fearless, and disruptive,” he added.