Jadeja’s Fifer Powers India to Thumping 434-run Win Over England

Led by an inspired bowling performance from Ravindra Jadeja, India registered a comprehensive 434-run victory over England in the third Test match at Rajkot. Chasing a daunting target of 557 runs, the English batting lineup simply had no answers to the guile and accuracy of the Indian bowlers.

India Crush England by 434 Runs in 3rd Test

Jaiswal’s Double Ton Flattens England

Earlier in the match, a magnificent double hundred by young Yashasvi Jaiswal had put India in the driver’s seat. The left-hander played fearlessly, taking on the English bowlers irrespective of their experience and quality. His supremely confident knock left the visitors shell-shocked. Other Indian batsmen like Shubman Gill and Sarfaraz Khan also notched up useful half-centuries.

England’s Batting Collapses Like Pack of Cards

In their second innings, England’s batting collapsed like a pack of cards. Barring opener Ben Duckett’s 153 in the first essay, none of the other English batsmen showed the stomach for a fight. One by one, the Indian bowlers kept striking at regular intervals to run through the opposition batting lineup. The English batsmen seemed to be caught in two minds – whether to attack or defend. This indecisiveness ultimately led to their downfall.

Jadeja Wrecks Havoc With His Spin

Ravindra Jadeja was the wrecker-in-chief for India, picking up a five-wicket haul on his home ground. He bamboozled the batsmen with his sharp spin and accurate lines. Jadeja got the key wickets of the English captain and wicket-keeper to trigger the visiting team’s batting capitulation. He received good support from Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj, both among the wickets too.

India Take 2-1 Lead in the Series

With this emphatic victory, India have taken a 2-1 lead in the five-match Test series. The hosts outbatted and outbowled the visitors fair and square. India will now be brimming with confidence going into the remaining matches. On the other hand, England have plenty of soul-searching to do. Their much-vaunted batting lineup has repeatedly struggled to adapt against the turning Indian conditions.

The action now shifts to Ahmedabad for the fourth and final Test starting on March 1. England will have to win both games to clinch the series, whereas India only need to win or draw just one match. Going by current form, the hosts will be firm favorites to clinch the series.