J-J show ensures host win by 434 runs inside four days

A five wicket haul by all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the second innings, after his young team mate Yashasvi Jaiswal had smashed a quick fire unbeaten double hundred earlier, resulted in India register a resounding 434 runs victory inside four days in the third Test match, that was played at the at the at Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot. Rohit Sharma’s Indian side in the process lead the five match Test series 2-1.

Chasing a massive target of 557 runs for a win in just over four sessions, Ben Stokes' visiting side was bundled out for just 122 runs in 39.4 overs, after being reduced to 50 for 7 at one stage inside 25 overs on Day 4. Mark Wood (33) who used the long handle to telling effect, was the sole batter to provide some resistance before being caught of left arm spinner Jadeja at long-off by Jaiswal. Jadeja who finished with impressive bowling figures of 12.4-4-41-5, was well supported by fellow spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin who took two and one wickets each, after pacer Jasprit Bumrah had trapped England opener Zak Crawley (11) leg before in their second essay.

Earlier, India resuming from their overnight score of 196 for 2, after having had gained a crucial 126 runs first innings lead, declared their second innings at 430/4 post lunch after Jaiswal (214 n.o.) and Sarfaraz (68 n.o.) had added  172 runs in their unbeaten fifth wicket stand off 158 balls. The duo dealt in boundaries and sixes in a dramatic post lunch session, with south paw Jaiswal targeting England’s leading wicket taker James Anderson for special treatment. His three sixes off consecutive balls on either side of the wicket of the pacer in the 85th over of the innings had the Indian fans rooting for more. That he hit 12 sixes en-route his second double century of the series saw him also equal Pakistan former skipper Wasim Akram’s record of maximum number of sixes in one innings. Jaiswal infact had played a key role with Shubman Gill (91) too as they steadied the Indian second innings, with a 155-run partnership for the second wicket, after the earlier dismissal of Rohit (19), who too had registered a century in the first innings.

Ravindra Jadeja whose valuable century with his skipper paved the path for India’s recovery after being reduced to 33/3 in the first session of the match and followed it up with a seven wicket haul on a winning cause was named the Player of the Match on his home ground.  An elated Jadeja who represent Saurashtra at domestic level and has three triple first class centuries to his credit in Ranji Trophy said, "I was just looking to build partnerships with Rohit (204 runs for the fourth wicket) , we were in a difficult situation, look to back my strengths, play my shots, not try and be more conscious. Watch the ball and play the ball. I know about this wicket, if we bat first, it is always good to bat on, in the second half it starts spinning, when Rohit won the toss, we were thinking: this is all that we wanted, bat first bowl second. On this wicket you won't get easy wickets, you have to work hard for it. You need to throw balls in good areas, you have to earn your wickets".

Ben Stokes, England Captain post the match said,  "Duckett played an unbelievable innings in the first essay. That was the tone we wanted to set throughout the innings. It was about identifying that opportunity and getting as close to India's score. We wanted to bowl yesterday but it was earlier than when we wanted. Sometimes game plans don't work and that was the case this time around. Everyone's got a perception and opinion about things (Bazball approach), the people in the dressing room are what matters to us. 1-2 down in the series and a great opportunity for us to come back and win the series from here. We leave this game behind and we know we have to win the next 2 games to win the series and that's what we would look to do".

A calm composed Rohit Sharma, Indian Captain who scored his 11 Test century in the company of Jadeja said "When you play Test cricket, you don't play it in two or three days. You have to stay in the game for five days. They played good shots and put us under pressure but we've got class in our squad when it comes to bowling. We stuck to our plans on day three, and when those things happen, it's a delight. Jadeja at No. 5 for this game, we thought he had so much experience in this format, and scored a 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”.

Sharing his thoughts on the dramatic turning points in a roller coaster match, the Indian opener added, “ That was a good toss to win. We know runs on board are important in India. The lead was also crucial for us. The way we came out to bowl after the English batters' onslaught, it was important to stay calm. The bowlers showed a lot of character. Not to forget we didn't have our most experienced bowler too. Was proud to watch the bowlers do well in his absence. Then in our second innings, we knew half the job was done. We wanted to extend the lead, and the two youngsters helped extend it. Jaiswal I've spoken a lot about him. I'm 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's started his career on a high."

Brief Scores (3rd Test) : India (Ist Innings) – 445 all out in 130.5 Overs (Rohit Sharma 131, Ravindra Jadeja 112 (225b: 9x4s, 2x6s), Sarfaraz Khan 62, Dhruv Jurel 46 (104b: 2x4s, 3x6s), Ravichandran Ashwin 37 (89b:  6x4s), Jasprit Bumrah 26 (28b: 3x4s, 1x6);  Mark Wood 4/114, Rehan Ahmed 2/85, James Anderson 1/61, Joe Root 1/70, Tom Hartley 1/109) & (IInd Innings) – 430 for 4 decl. in 98 overs) (Overnight - 196 for 2 in 51 overs) (Yashasvi Jaiswal 214* (236b: 14x4s, 12x6s), Shubman Gill 91 (151b: 9x4s, 2x6s), Sarfaraz Khan 68* (72b: 6x4s, 3x6s), Kuldeep Yadav 27 (91b: 3x4s,1x6); Tom Hartley 1/78, Joe Root 1/111, Reham Ahmed 1/108) beat England –  319 all out in 71.1 overs (Ben Duckett 153 (151b: 21x4s, 2x6s), Ben Stokes 41 (89b: 6x4s),  Ollie Pope 39 (5x4s,1x6); Mohammed Siraj 4/84, Ravindra Jadeja 2/51, Kuldeep Yadav 2/77, Ravichandran Ashwin 1/37, Jasprit Bumrajh 1/54) & (IInd Innings) – 122 all out in 39.4 overs (Mark Wood 33 (15b: 6x4s,1x6), Tom Hartley 16 (36b: 2x4s, 1x6), Ben Foakes 16 (39b: 2x4s); Ravindra Jadeja 5/41, Kuldeep Yadav 2/19, Jasprit Bumrajh 1/18, Ravichandran Ashwin 1/19 ) by 434 runs.Player of the Match: Ravindra Jadeja (India)