Credit: X
The Indian team shut down all critics with a dominant 434-run win in the third Test against England to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. With this result, Men in Blue registered their biggest win by runs in Test cricket history. Playing at the newly renamed Niranjan Shah stadium in Rajkot, the hosts won the toss and started poorly with the bat. The England new-ball attack started brilliantly to reduce India to 33-3 in 8.5 overs.
Mark Wood picked up two wickets and sent back Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal while Tom Hartley dismissed Rajat Patidar. Eyeing a Day 1 collapse, Captain Rohit Sharma alongside all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja bailed India out and posted a game-changing 204-run partnership. Sharma got out after scoring 131 while Jadeja continued scoring alongside debutant Sarfaraz Khan.
The duo posted a blistering 77-run stand with Khan scoring a quick-fire 62 in 68 balls before being runout. Soon Jadeja also got out after a valuable 112 in 225 balls, making way for India's other debutant Dhruv Jhurel. The Rajasthan Royals wicketkeeper-batter scored 46 while Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah also chipped in to help India post 445.
Like their innings with the bat, India were once again under pressure with Ben Duckett scoring his maiden ton in India as England started well with the bat on Day 2. But the visitors couldn't keep up against the Indian bowlers as the English batting went from 229-3 to 319 all-out. Duckett top-scored with 151 while Mohammed Siraj starred for India with a four-wicket haul.
With India ahead by 126 runs, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill started England's demolition with a massive 163-run stand. Jaiswal reached his century but had to leave the field after being retired hurt while Gill continued scoring freely alongside night-watchman Kuldeep Yadav. The Indian number three seemed in great touch but got out at 91 after another unfortunate runout.
Returning to the field, Jaiswal continued his purple as he reached his second consecutive double while batting alongside childhood friend Sarfaraz Khan. The duo posted a 172-stand to help India set a 557-run target with Jaiswal ending at a score of 214 while Khan managed 68.
England's troubles continued after a sub-par bowling effort as their batters were bundled out in the final session of Day 4. Centurion from the first innings, Jadeja picked up five wickets while Kuldeep Yadav ended up with two scaps to bundle out England at 122.