In a scintillating display of cricketing prowess, Yashasvi Jaiswal showcased his immense talent with an unbeaten double-century, while local hero Ravindra Jadeja shone with both bat and ball, propelling India to a resounding victory over England by a staggering 434 runs in the third Test at the Niranjan Shah Stadium.
Jaiswal's remarkable innings saw him overcome a brief setback due to back cramps on Day Three, eventually amassing a career-best 214 runs off just 236 deliveries. His aggressive stroke play, comprising 14 boundaries and an impressive tally of 12 sixes, not only etched his name alongside legends like Wasim Akram but also established him as the first Test player to smash 20 sixes in a series.
With this feat, Jaiswal now leads the run-scoring charts in the ongoing series and joins the elite ranks as the third-youngest player to achieve two double-centuries in Test cricket, following the footsteps of Vinod Kambli and Don Bradman.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill contributed a fine 91 runs, while Sarfaraz Khan added to England's woes with a notable 68, marking his second half-century on Test debut and becoming the fourth Indian batter to achieve this milestone. The duo, hailing from the same Mumbai school as Jaiswal, entertained the crowd with a scintillating 172-run partnership for the fifth wicket, showcasing the promising future of Indian Test cricket batting.
India's imposing total of 430/4 declared left England facing an uphill battle, and their chase of 557 runs ended in a dismal collapse as they were bundled out for a mere 122 runs in 39.4 overs, courtesy of Jadeja's exceptional five-wicket haul, conceding only 41 runs. This comprehensive victory marked India's largest win by runs in Test cricket, catapulting them to a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
From a precarious position of 33/3 on the opening day, India's dominance continued as they sealed the win at Rajkot with a day to spare, dealing England their second-largest defeat in Test history. Despite brief moments of resistance, England's batting lineup faltered under the relentless pressure exerted by the Indian bowlers, leaving them with significant contemplation ahead of the fourth Test at Ranchi, commencing on February 23.
The match witnessed several memorable moments, including Kuldeep Yadav's spirited display with the bat, coupled with Jaiswal and Sarfaraz's aggressive stroke play that delighted the spectators. Jaiswal's relentless assault on the English bowling attack, marked by a flurry of boundaries and sixes, left an indelible mark as he reached the milestone of 200 runs amidst jubilant celebrations.
As the curtains drew on the match, India emerged victorious in emphatic fashion, with Ashwin's return and Jadeja's clinical finish encapsulating their dominance throughout the encounter. This commanding performance not only underscores India's formidable prowess in Test cricket but also sets the stage for an enthralling conclusion to the series.
Brief scores:
India 445 & 430/4 dec in 98 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 214 not out, Shubman Gill 91, Sarfaraz Khan 68 not out; Tom Hartley 1-78, Rehan Ahmed 1-108) beat England 319 & 122 all out in 39.4 overs (Mark Wood 33; Ravindra Jadeja 5-41) by 434 runs
