India Seizes Commanding 2-1 Series Lead with Spectacular Triumph over England in Third Test
In a dazzling display of dominance, India surged ahead 2-1 in the five-match series against England with a resounding victory in the third Test. The Sunday showdown saw Rohit Sharma and his squad assert their prowess, declaring their innings at an imposing 430/4 and setting an ambitious target of 557 for the English side on Day 4. The visitors, however, faltered, getting bundled out for a mere 122, paving the way for India to claim a decisive win by a staggering 434 runs.
The hero of the day was Yashasvi Jaiswal, who showcased brilliance with a remarkable knock of 214 runs. Adding to the excitement, debutant Sarfaraz Khan left a lasting impression with consecutive fifties, scoring 62 runs in the first innings and an unbeaten 68 off 72 balls in the second, including six boundaries and three maximums.
In a strategic move, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was elevated to bat at No 5 in the first innings, while Sarfaraz patiently awaited his turn. The gamble paid off, as Jadeja went on to score an impressive 112 runs. In the second innings, Sarfaraz justified his promotion with another noteworthy performance, batting ahead of Jadeja.
Explaining the decision, Rohit Sharma stated during the post-match press conference, “For this game, we thought he has got so much experience and has got a lot of runs as well, we wanted that left-right combo, Sarfaraz being Sarfaraz and with the quality he has got, we wanted him to have time.”
He further emphasized, “It’s not a long-term view, we go with the flow and what we feel on that particular day, looking at the opposition, the bowling attack. We calculate everything and then go with the flow.”
The stage is set for the fourth Test in Ranchi, where India and England will lock horns once again starting February 23.
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