India took complete control of the proceedings on Day 3 of the third Test against England in Rajkot. The hosts were 196 for 2, ahead by a substantial 322 runs at stumps. Yashasvi Jaiwal (104 retired hurt) and Moahmmed Siraj (four wickets) were the star performers.
The day had started with India losing out on the services of their lead spinner, R Ashwin. The experienced spinner was ruled out of the Test due to a family emergency. Meanwhile, England had a chance to claw their way back into the game. However, somewhere, England didn’t strike the right balance between attack and defence. Joe Root tried a reverse lap against Jasprit Bumrah and Jaiswal took a fine catch at slip. Root has accumulated enough runs with the help of that shot. He has also got out to a couple of ungainly dismissals. As England’s best batter, he should have taken more responsibility.
Jonny Bairstow then played back to Kuldeep’s stock ball and was trapped plumb in front. Ben Duckett, the mainstay of England’s batting on Day 2, also threw his wicket away as he slashed one off Kuldeep to covers. Ben Stokes and Ben Foakes did try to steady the innings with a decent stand. Just after the lunch break, though, Stokes cracked one towards Bumrah wide of long-on. And that triggered England’s collapse.
Siraj employed old-ball swing, alongside variations to run through the middle and lower-order. The toe-crusher to rattle Rehan Ahmed’s timber was the highlight of his spell. He also provided the finishing touches by castling James Anderson. India then built on the sizeable lead of 126. Rohit couldn’t repeat his first innings heroics, but Jaiswal put on a splendid exhibition of batting.
There were sweeps, reverse sweeps, lofts and even reverse pulls. None of the England bowlers were spared. Jaiswal also completed his hundred in style, smacking Mark Wood into the boundary hoardings. He jumped in the air and blew kisses, alongside screaming ‘come on’ to himself. Unfortunately, Jaiswal was laid low by back spasm and had to walk off the field.
Rajat Patdiar. who replaced him at the crease, got out to another soft dismissal. Shubman Gill (65 not out), who turned out to be the supporting cast to Jaiswal, and Kuldeep Yadav then took the side to stumps. India showed a lot of character on a day when Ashwin had to leave the camp. Meanwhile, England have a lot to ponder.
IND vs ENG | Day 3 Stumps: Live Match Discussion https://t.co/S3jQhskxyv
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) February 17, 2024