On Thursday, India captain Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja shared a 152-run stand. It was for the unbroken fourth wicket to help the hosts overcome a top-order wobble and reach 185 for three at tea on the third Test’s opening day. Rohit was dropped at the slip, received a helmet blow, and overcome a lbw judgement to score 97 with two sixes. Jadeja, returning in the team. After missing the second Test in Visakhapatnam owing to a hamstring injury, looked confident on 68.
Rohit and Jadeja stabilise India after top order wobble
Rohit batted first on a flat surface, but Mark Wood, replacing spinner Shoaib Bashir, showed the significance of more pace. In his second over, the England fast bowler captured Yashasvi Jaiswal (10), who scored a double century in Visakhapatnam, at the slip. Wood dismissed Shubman Gill for a duck in his next over.
England captain Ben Stokes, playing his 100th test, introduced spin in the ninth over and was rewarded immediately. After five runs, left-arm spinner Tom Hartley gave Rajat Patidar more bounce and he chipped the ball to Ben Duckett at cover. India fell to 33-3 as Wood bowled viciously, hitting Rohit on his helmet grille.
On 27, Rohit edged Hartley and Root at slip but missed the catch. The opening was lbw to James Anderson, but replays showed the ball hit bat first. Rohit and Jadeja played well in the second session to keep England at bay and get India back into the game.
After the hosts made four changes, wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel and middle order batter Sarfaraz Khan received their first Test caps. With the five-match series tied 1-1, India captain Rohit Sharma batted at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium after winning the toss. Rajkot should be a decent pitch. We should win the toss to bat first and score runs “said Rohit.
“The following three Tests will be as fascinating as the first two. We must stay focused on our task.”
With Virat Kohli missing the series for personal reasons and KL Rahul nursing a thigh issue, India have rewarded 26-year-old Sarfaraz for his local form.
Jurel was chosen over Srikar Bharat, who maintained wicket in the first two Tests, as a more offensive batsman.
Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja
Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja returned, while Mukesh Kumar and Axar Patel rested.
The only change for England was fast bowler Mark Wood replacing spinner Shoaib Bashir in captain Ben Stokes’ 100th test match.
Stokes said the tourists felt refreshed after a short Abu Dhabi vacation.
“We have been very happy with how we have gone about things in the first two tests,” he added.
“It has been a nice break to recharge.”
