Team India registered a resounding 434-run victory over England on Day 4 of the third Test at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.
Riding on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s blistering double hundred (214*) and half-centuries from Shubman Gill (91) and debutant Sarfaraz Khan (68*), the hosts racked up 430/4 (declared) in their second essay, setting a mammoth target of 557 for the visitors.
Chasing the target, England’s innings folded for a paltry 122 in 39.4 overs. It was a listless batting display as no one managed to hit a half-century. Fast bowler Mark Wood was the top scorer with 33.
Ravindra Jadeja starred with the ball, returning with a five-wicket haul to ensure India’s biggest victory in Test cricket (in terms of runs).
After the thumping victory, India skipper Rohit Sharma took a dig at England's 'Bazball' style of cricket, emphasizing that staying competitive for all five days held more significance than securing a win in just two or three days.
"When you play Test cricket, you do not play it in two or three days. You have to stay in the game for five days. They played good shots (in the second innings) and put us under pressure but we have got class in our squad when it comes to bowling. So obviously the message was to stay calm (after day two). Important that time to stay calm, otherwise you drift. We stuck to our plans on day three, and when those things happen, it is a delight," Rohit said while speaking at the post-match presentation.
On Jadeja promoted to No. 5 in the first innings and Sarfaraz Khan notching up two half-centuries in his debut Test, the India skipper said, "For this game, we thought he (Jadeja) has so much experience in this format, and scored lot of runs of late. We also wanted left-right batting as well. Sarfaraz being Sarfaraz, we know his quality, we wanted him to have some time before he comes out to bat. We saw what he can do with the bat. By no means is it some long plan with the batting order, we go with what is right for us for that Test match. Including calculating what the opponents' bowling attack is."
Talking about the turning point of the match, Rohit said, "Lots of turning points. Once we won the toss, that was a good toss to win. We know runs on board is important in India. The lead was also crucial for us. The way we came out to bowl after the English batters' onslaught, important to stay calm... the bowlers showed a lot of character. Not to forget we did not have our most experienced bowler too (Ravichandran Ashwin who missed the day three due to personal reasons). I was proud to watch the bowlers. Then in our second innings, we knew half the job was done. We wanted to extend the lead, and the two youngsters helped extend. And then finally Jadeja."
Rohit Sharma had special praise reserved for Jaiswal, who slammed his second Test double ton in the ongoing series against England.
"I have spoken a lot about him. I am sure people outside the changing room have also been talking about him. I want to be calm about him, not talk a lot about him. He has started his career on a high."
With this victory, India took a 2-1 lead in the five-match Test series. The fourth Test is slated to get underway on February 23 in Ranchi.
(With ANI Inputs)
