On Day 4 saw Ravindra Jadeja taking the lead with a haul of five wickets. This is how India overcame England. With a big margin of 434 runs, India won the third Test in Rajkot. The recent win gives IND a 2-1 lead in the current 5-match series.
The margin of victory was India’s largest ever in terms of runs. It also benefited them in the World Test Championship standings, which had dropped following their loss in the series opener in Hyderabad.
The game had lots to analyze. Nearly all home team players played really well. Just one more success is needed for Rohit Sharma and his squad to win the series.
Here are three positives for India following their big victory in the third Test against England.
1. India’s top order has finally hit its straps
Yashasvi Jaiswal has been India’s star hitter in the series thus far, scoring 545 runs at an average of 109. He made significant contributions in all three Tests.
Shubman Gill, who joined the party in Visakhapatnam, continued his impressive second-inning form in Rajkot, scoring a vital 91. Captain Rohit Sharma, who saved the team on Day 1 with a stunning century, joined the two in scoring runs.
This meant that all three of India’s top-order batsmen hit their straps for the first time in the series. Rohit had a few disappointing failures in the first two games, but he delivered one of his greatest performances at home to help his younger teammates.
Given the middle order’s lack of experience and prominent names, the three must perform well in the remaining matches.
2. India’s Debutants Shine in Rajkot Test Victory
Due to injuries and poor form, India was compelled to dish away two caps in Rajkot. Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel earned their international debuts in the third Test, following contrasting first-class performances.
The debutantes were among the home team’s finest performers in the game. While Sarfaraz scored two half-centuries and might have had a greater influence if not for Jadeja’s poor decision-making, Jurel made a vital cameo and was clean behind the stumps.
Importantly, both Sarfaraz and Jurel were able to adjust quickly and successfully. The former had to deal with a sluggish surface and an unpleasant wait. Meanwhile, the latter failed to select Kuldeep Yadav in the first innings but improved his glovework as the game progressed.
In a high-stakes contest like the Rajkot Test, India might rely on the inexperienced players in the team to deliver.
3. Siraj Leads India’s Bowling Revival on Day 3
Ben Duckett’s blistering century in the second half of Day 2 meant that India needed to perform at their peak on Day 3. Not only were England in command of their first innings, but the hosts were also missing R Ashwin, who had to depart the Test owing to a medical issue.
Mohammed Siraj led the Indian bowlers to a great game. Getting four wickets, he caused England’s downfall. Kuldeep added to it, his 12-over spell scared England. He got two important wickets, including Duckett’s.
Indian bowlers were under pressure, one man was missing. But they stood up, pushed their team to get a good lead in the first-innings. We missed this performance in the first two matches. Now, they’re in a good place.