The third Test between India and England began in Rajkot today, where both sides look to move 2-1 up in the five-match series. India won the toss and decided to bat first in the pivotal match and were able to end the day at 326/5.
Rohit Sharma scored a quick-fire 131 while Ravindra Jadeja ended the day on 110 down the order. The Indians will be looking to add on as many runs as they can and propel their score across the 500 runs mark.
James Wood was the pick of the bowlers for England, taking 3 wickets for 69 runs. Tom Hartley took the only other wicket with the ball, finishing the day, 1-81.
With a great start, India are in control of the third Test match but much could change on Day 2. England will need to take early wickets to restrict India to a score closer to 400 and keep their hopes alive on a good batting wicket.
England Take First Test
England won the first Test by 26 runs, after a brilliant 196 from Ollie Pope in the second innings. It was the 26-year-olds fifth hundred in 71 innings, almost eclipsing his high score of 205.
The English team could only muster 246 runs in the first innings with Ben Stokes top scoring with a stand-alone 70. The next highest score came from Johnny Bairstow with 37.
It was an overall great performance with the ball by the Indians, as two bowlers ended up with three wickets and a couple with two. Ashwin had the best figures with 3-68 and Ravindra Jadeja went had 3-88.
The Indians were able to mount a sizable lead with their first innings, piling on 436 in 121 overs. Three players made it into the eighties in K L Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravindra Jadeja but none were able to convert into a massive score. Still the Indians were in the dominant position going into the second innings.
The second innings was all Ollie Pope, as he battled with wickets falling around him to amass 196. Jasprit Bumrah bowled beautifully, taking four wickets for only 41 runs in his 16.1 overs. In the end England were all out for 420, leaving India with a target of 232 to win.
India had a solid start, getting to 42 before losing their first wicket. Unfortunately for them, this was the start of their downfall, as the top order faltered to 107-5. A good partnership between keeper Srikar Bharat & Ravichandran Ashwin got them close but in the end India fell short by 26 runs.
India Comeback to Win Second Test
India hit back in the second test, mainly off the back of a brilliant innings by Yashasvi Jaiswal who scored 209 in the first innings. He didn’t get much help however, as the Indians were bowled out for 396.
James Anderson, Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed each had three wickets, while Tom Hartley chipped in with 1.
England’s reply started off well with Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope at the crease at 114/1. Unfortunately for them, the team collapsed to finish their first innings for 253. Ben Stokes had a battling 47 in the lower order but there wasn’t much else to talk about for the English team.
Jasprit Bumrah had amazing figures of 6-45 to lead the Indian attack, while Kuldeep Yadav helped out with 3-71.
Shubhman Gill was the hero of the Indian second innings, with a crucial century that set up a target of 399 runs for England. Tom Hartley bowled well for England, finishing with four wickets for just 77 runs.
England looked like they would threaten the total with yet another good start. The wicket of Zak Crawley however ended their hopes as the team fell to 194-5. With the top order in the pavilion, England eventually were all out for 292.
Jasprit Bumrah was named Man of the Match for his first innings haul of six wickets. He also managed to pick up three critical wickets in the second innings.
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