India grabbed a 2-1 lead in the current Test series against England after defeating the visitors by 434 runs in Rajkot. The injury-ravaged hosts withstood a character test to secure their biggest-ever Test victory in terms of run margin.
Rohit Sharma (131) and Ravindra Jadeja (112) both made centuries, ensuring India’s first innings total of 445. While Ben Duckett’s 151 put England in charge, their batting collapse allowed India to build a big 126-run advantage.
From then, it was all India, as Yashasvi Jaiswal’s double-hundred (214*) batted England out of the game, and the visitors surrendered meekly in the fourth innings.
With England without Mark Wood and India missing Jasprit Bumrah for the Ranchi Test, fans may look forward to other match-ups that have emerged during the series. On that topic, let’s take a look at three such match-ups that may determine who would take the fourth Test:
3. Ben Duckett vs Kuldeep Yadav
Ben Duckett put India under enormous strain during his spectacular innings in Rajkot and is one of the visitors’ most in-form batsmen. England badly needs him to score big once more, setting them up for a massive total.
The southpaw liked Kuldeep Yadav in the last game, but he was finally despatched by the left-arm wrist-spinner. Ducket has scored 51 runs off 46 balls against Kuldeep and been removed twice, making for a fascinating match-up.
2. Joe Root vs Ravindra Jadeja
Joe Root has under intense criticism in the series, with only 77 runs from six innings, particularly for the manner in which he was removed. A reverse sweep against Jasprit Bumrah that resulted in his departure was undoubtedly the most significant turning point of the Rajkot Test.
While there is no Bumrah to stalk Root this time, he should be mindful of another bad matchup in Ravindra Jadeja. The all-rounder is coming off a fifer and Player of the Match performance, and he will be full of confidence against an under-fire Root. Jadeja has also dismissed the star batter an incredible seven times in Tests.
1. Yashasvi Jaiswal vs James Anderson
The fourth Test’s most anticipated match-up is undoubtedly between India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal and renowned England bowler James Anderson. The 41-year-old had dismissed the teenager twice in Visakhapatnam, but the encounter in Rajkot was all about Jaiswal.
Especially in the second innings, the southpaw tore at Anderson, hitting three consecutive sixes in one over. With rain in Ranchi, conditions might be ideal for seam bowling early on, and Anderson would want to take advantage of the chance. Jaiswal will not hold back; he is a naturally aggressive hitter.
