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The Indian cricket team defeated England by 434 runs in the Rajkot Test.© BCCI
India made a mockery of England in the third Test of the five-match series, crushing the visitors by 434 runs in Rajkot on Sunday. This is their biggest win in terms of runs in their 577 Test history, and also the first time they have won by a margin of 400 runs or more. India surpassed their 372-run victory over New Zealand in 2021. The victory allowed India to take a 2-1 lead in the series and overtake Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table. The Rohit Sharma-led team is now second in the WTC points table.
New Zealand still leads with a points percentage of 75% after four Tests in the cycle. India comes second with 59.52%, while Australia is right behind with 55%.
Coming back to the match, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s unbeaten double century and Ravindra Jadeja’s five wickets helped India crush England by a record 434 runs.
Chasing 557 for victory, England’s batting fell like a pack of cards as they lost eight wickets in the final session and were bowled out for 122 on the fourth day at Rajkot.
Jadeja removed Mark Wood for 33 as the last wicket, and kissed the field as India recorded their biggest win in terms of runs.
England lost their openers, including first innings centurion Ben Duckett, were run out for four before tea and Jadeja shook up the middle order with his left-arm spin.
Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root extended their poor run in the five-match series and were bowled out for four and seven respectively.
Captain Ben Stokes tried to withstand the force of the Indian bowling but fell lbw to left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav for 15 in his historic 100th Test.
Left-handed Jaiswal stood out with his 214 off 236 balls to flay the opposition attack as India declared their second innings at 430-4.
The opener returned to bat in the morning session after retiring injured on 104 at the end of the third day due to back pain. He picked up his second double ton in consecutive matches with a single off Root… and jumped for joy.
Jaiswal hit a record 12 sixes in his knock, which included three consecutive hits over the fence off James Anderson, the first for the veteran quick with 696 wickets in 185 Tests.
England won the first match by 28 runs, but India recovered in the second match before their second consecutive victory.
The fourth Test begins on Friday in Ranchi.
(With AFP Entries)
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