In the 3rd India vs. England test at Rajkot, India clinched a remarkable victory, securing a commanding 2-1 series lead with an exceptional performance.
The hosts won by a staggering 434 runs, marking their largest Test win ever. The team’s collective effort was evident, with solid batting performances laying the groundwork. Contributions from Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored a remarkable double-century, propelled India’s dominance. Debutants Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel also played pivotal roles.
Earlier, India chose to bat after winning the toss but faced a rocky start, losing three wickets quickly. However, captain Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja turned the tide with a solid partnership, both scoring impressive centuries. Debutant Sarfaraz Khan showcased his talent with a stylish fifty but missed out on a debut hundred due to a run-out.
England struck early on Day 2, dismissing the nightwatchman and then Jadeja, thanks to Anderson and Root. However, they couldn’t maintain the pressure, allowing India to build another partnership, this time between Ashwin and debutant Jurel. Together, they pushed India past 400, though Jurel fell just shy of his fifty. Bumrah’s late boundaries boosted India to 445 before England wrapped up the innings.
However, England faced a massive collapse, going from a promising 224/2 to being bowled out for 319, despite starting the second session of Day 3 at 290/5. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan wreaked havoc in the final half-hour of the first session, extending India’s lead to 440 at Lunch.
This stand, accomplished in just 158 balls, propelled India to declare at 430/4, setting England an imposing target of 557 runs.
Last Updated on February 18, 2024
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