England vs India, 2nd Test, Day 3: 5 Talking Points

England took full command of the second Test at Lord's, after ending the third day of the game at 357 for 6, gaining a lead of 200 runs over India's first innings total of 107.

The advantage was gained on the back of a 189-run partnership between Jonny Bairstow and Chris Woakes, who made his maiden Test hundred and remained unbeaten 120 at the conclusion of the day's play.

Here are the talking points from the proceedings:

Cook fails again

Cook's lack of runs will be a bit of a concern for England

21,0,13, 46 and 1: These are the last five scores for Alastair Cook in Test cricket. Barring the double hundred at the Melbourne Cricket Ground(MCG) in last summer's Ashes, the left-hander has struggled to get going in the matches that he has played and his form may not be a major headache as of now for the management, but for England to reduce the pressure on the likes of Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and others, it is imperative that Cook gets going in the remaining matches.

Jonny Bairstow shines with the bat.

Bairstow was excellent with the bat, again for England

The right-hander once again was among the runs for the hosts, scoring a well made 93 to sitch a massive stand with Woakes and break India's back.

In the absence of runs from the bat of Cook, Bairstow's form has been critical for England and they will hope for him to keep this vein of form going for the rest of the series.

Kuldeep Yadav disappoints on his Test return

On his comeback game, Kuldeep looked very ineffective

It was around this time last year that Kuldeep Yadav last played a Test match for India and on his return to red-ball cricket, the chinaman seemed out of rhythm, failing to create any wicket-taking chances for the visitors.

Picked as a replacement for Umesh Yadav in the hope of adding more variety, Kuldeep had an ordinary time with the ball and he will look to make amends in the second innings, when the pitch could turn a lot more.

Mohammed Shami excels with the ball

Shami was India's best bowler on view on Day 3

India needed a really good bowling performance after being bowled out for 107. That came from Mohammed Shami, who was absolutely brilliant. First, with the new ball removing Keaton Jennings, then with the semi-new ball sent back Joe Root and once the cherry started to reverse, removed Jos Buttler back to the hut ending the day with figures of 19-4-74-3.

This is an important tour for Shami, a bit of a comeback tour after having been out of the game for a large part of the first part of the year and his form and fitness will be vital for India heading into the second half of this series.

Chris Woakes excels with the bat

Woakes was one of the two stars with the bat for England

After playing a key role in dismissing India for 107 on the second day, Chris Woakes decided to show that he could be equally effective with the bat as well, scoring his maiden Test hundred and remaining unbeaten on 120 at the end of the day.

It was a known fact that he was never a mug with the bat in hand, but on Saturday he elevated his batting to the next level with an array of shots which caught India napping.

Perhaps, this knock is the start of big things for the right-hander with the bat in hand.