3rd Test, Rajkot, February 15, 2024, 09:30 AM

445/10(130.5ov) & 430/4(98.0ov)
319/10(71.1ov) & 122/10(39.4ov)

India beat England by 434 runs

Right then, that concludes this thrilling Test match. Despite the final result, India faced a tough challenge and had to work hard for the win. With the series now at 2-1 in their favor, the hosts will aim to clinch victory in the next game, while England will seek to bounce back and level the series. Join us for the 4th Test starting on 23rd February, Friday at 9:30 am IST (4 am GMT), where we'll bring you all the pre-match excitement. Until then, cheers and goodbye!
Ravindra Jadeja is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his excellent hundred and a fine five-wicket haul. He talks about his century in the first innings as he was looking to build a partnership with Rohit Sharma. He further adds that the wicket here is good to bat on and they used the opportunity to bat first really well and got those runs on the board. Ends by saying that it's hard work to pick wickets on a surface like this, and he is very happy with the way they bowled.
Rohit Sharma, the victorious skipper of India says that when you play Test cricket, you have to play well for five days. Adds that England did play well and put them under pressure with some good batting, but he was very happy with how the team fought back in the game. Tells that Ravindra Jadeja has a lot of experience playing here and they wanted to keep a right-left combination that worked in their favour. Mentions that there were a lot of turning points, winning the toss was one as you want to put runs on the board, then again after the English batting onslaught, the bowlers were excellent, and that too without their main spinner. Credits Yashasvi Jaiswal for his incredible performance, but says that he wants to keep calm about him and does not want to talk much, but reckons he has got off to a great start to his career and is an important player for the team.
Ben Stokes, the captain of England says that Ben Duckett gave them a good start but the middle-order batters did not stand up and score those runs in the first innings that led them to a massive lead. He adds that everyone has an opinion about the type of Test cricket England is playing but at the same time when it works in their favour, everyone appreciates it. He ends by saying that they will come back hard next game and look to draw the lead.
Presentation Time...
Yashasvi Jaiswal, the double-centurion is up for a chat. He talks about his innings and says that it has been a good wicket to bat on even on Day 4. He adds that he did not want to go out as retired hurt, but that gave him the time to recover and come out the next day and score his second double hundred. He finishes by saying that he looks to back himself all the time and looks to bat as long as possible once completely set.
India began Day 4 with a substantial lead of 322 runs, with Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav steadily accumulating runs. However, a miscommunication between the batters resulted in Gill's dismissal for 91, depriving him of a well-deserved century, followed by Kuldeep's departure soon after. Despite England hoping for some respite, Yashasvi Jaiswal, the centurion, continued his impressive form. Alongside Sarfaraz Khan, they launched a relentless assault on the visitors' bowling attack, particularly after Tea. The debutant showcased his talent once again with another half-century, while Jaiswal's exceptional performance saw him become only the third Indian player to score back-to-back double-centuries in a Test series. He also equaled Wasim Akram's record of most sixes in a Test innings with 12 maximums. With their dominance evident, India eventually declared, setting a daunting target of 557 runs for England. Despite expectations of an aggressive response from England, their batting performance left much to be desired. They were never really in the chase and some late fireworks from Mark Wood only managed to delay the inevitable. It was the local boy, Ravindra Jadeja who was the star with the ball with a five-wicket haul and sealed the biggest win in terms of runs for India.
The 'Moving Day' belonged entirely to India, despite the absence of Ashwin due to a family emergency. Early in the first session, Joe Root's attempt at the reverse scoop led to his dismissal, triggering an extraordinary collapse for England. Ben Duckett, after reaching his 150, had to alter his approach but was eventually dismissed cheaply. Ben Stokes and Ben Foakes showed resilience until Lunch but fell in consecutive deliveries thereafter, as England were bowled out for 319. Kuldeep Yadav was instrumental in getting the early breakthroughs, while Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj polished off the tail. In the second innings, Rohit Sharma missed out, but Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal capitalized on their opportunities. Initially cautious, Jaiswal unleashed an aggressive onslaught after reaching his fifty. Despite another brilliant century, Jaiswal had to retire hurt due to a back spasm, while Gill also reached his fifty. Rajat Patidar departed for a duck, but Gill, along with nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav, ensured a commanding position for the hosts at Stumps.
England made early breakthroughs on Day 2, with Anderson dismissing the nightwatchman and Joe Root claiming the crucial wicket of Ravindra Jadeja. However, they failed to capitalize on this momentum, allowing the hosts to forge another partnership, this time between Ravichandran Ashwin and debutant Dhruv Jurel, who showcased his potential. Together, they guided India past the 400-run mark, although Jurel fell just short of his fifty. A late flurry of boundaries from Jasprit Bumrah helped India reach a total of 445 runs before Rehan Ahmed and Mark Wood wrapped up the innings for the visitors. The highlight of the day was Ben Duckett's exceptional performance, as he took charge against the Indian bowlers, with Zak Crawley providing solid support at the other end. Duckett notched up a magnificent century, ending the day unbeaten on 133 runs, as England set a solid platform for the crucial 'Moving Day', with the scoreboard reading 207/2.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, India faced early pressure from the visitors, losing three quick wickets. However, skipper Rohit Sharma, accompanied by local stalwart and experienced campaigner Ravindra Jadeja, steadied the innings, with Rohit benefiting from a missed chance on 27. Both batters showcased their class, notching up brilliant centuries and guiding India towards a substantial total. Debutant Sarfaraz Khan also impressed, crafting a stylish half-century before an unfortunate run-out denied him the chance of a debut hundred. Mark Wood was impressive with the new ball, claiming a couple of early scalps, while Tom Hartley provided crucial support with a wicket of his own. Despite the early setbacks, the pivotal moment for England was Joe Root's drop of Rohit, which proved costly for the visitors.
A remarkable victory indeed for India! With an outstanding performance, they take a commanding 2-1 lead in the series. The hosts showcased their own brand of 'Bazball', securing victory by a massive margin of  434 runs. This is also the biggest win for them in their Test history in terms of runs. It was a collective effort from the team, with the batters laying a solid foundation. Centuries from Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja in the first innings, along with Shubman Gill's impressive 91 and Yashasvi Jaiswal's stunning double century, set the stage for India's dominance. Debutants Sarfaraz Khan also made significant contributions with two half-centuries, while Dhruv Jurel impressed with both bat and gloves. Despite being in contention at the start of Day 3, England missed crucial opportunities and have only themselves to blame for the outcome.
In over# 40
0W
0
2
0
Ravindra Jadeja 41/5(12.4)
39.4
W
OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! There it is! India have sealed the lead in the series 2-1 and have finished the game in 4 days. Ravindra Jadeja gets his FIFER as he tosses the ball up on the stumps and Mark Wood steps out and slogs the ball hard, hitting it straight to Yashasvi Jaiswal at long on who fittingly takes the last catch and throws the ball up in the air with joy!
39.3
.
Floated, full and on off, Mark Wood goes down across to sweep but misses to get hit on the pads.
39.2
2
Tossed up, full and around off, Mark Wood uses his feet and slices it over cover-point for a brace.
39.1
.
Short and around off, Mark Wood moves back and slaps it towards extra covers.
In over# 39
0
0
1
4
1
0
Ravichandran Ashwin 19/1(6)
38.6
.
Floats the ball up in the air on the off stump line. James Anderson gets beaten outside the off stump as he looks to block it off.
38.5
.
Fuller on the off stump line. James Anderson blocks it off the front foot.