Ben Duckett posted a memorable ton to put his side ahead on a riveting day of Test cricket at Rajkot. The English opener stroked his way to the three figures in just 88 balls as England threatened India to throw them out of the game. Ravichandran Ashwin made history by becoming the second Indian to reach the 500 wicket mark. However, the Indian great would not be available anymore in this Test, making the job of containing England much harder for Rohit Sharma.
Team Lineups
India made four changes to the team that comprehensively won the second Test at Vizag. KL Rahul is out with the quadriceps injury sustained in the first Test. With the selectors running out of patience with Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan made his highly anticipated debut after waiting for a long time on the wings. The 26 year old has been the most run scorer over the past three seasons in the Ranji Trophy. Team India handed a debut to another youngster in the form of Druv Jurel.
The 23 year old wicketkeeper batsman was drafted into the team due to the inconsistent performances of Srikar Bharat. Jurel is a right handed batsman who is technically solid and can score runs easily. After his lacklustre show in the last Test match, Mukesh Kumar was omitted from the squad. The 30 year old pace bowler was released for the Ranji Trophy match. Mohammed Siraj was back to take his place in the Indian bowling attack.
Ravindra Jadeja is back after missing the second match with a knock. He replaced Axar Patel in the team. Virat Kohli was still unavailable due to personal reasons.
England made one change to their team that was beaten by India in the first Test. Mark Wood was back to the team after sitting out the second Test match. Despite impressing with the ball in his first Test match, Sohaib Bashir had to drop to the bench for team combination. James Anderson kept his place in the playing eleven. The veteran pace bowler is closing on to the 600 wicket.
England
1. Zak Crawley 2. Ben Duckett 3. Ollie Pope 4. Joe Root 5. Jonny Bairstow 6. Ben Stokes (Cap.) 7. Ben Foakes (WK) 8. Rehan Ahmed 9. Tom Hartley 10. Mark Wood 11. James Anderson
India
1. Rohit Sharma (Cap.) 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal 3. Shubman Gill 4. Rajat Patidar 5. Ravindra Jadeja 6. Sarfaraz Khan 7. Dhruv Jurel 8. Ravichandran Ashwin 9. Mohammed Siraj 10. Jasprit Bumrah 11. Kuldeep Yadav
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and had no hesitation to bat first. The pitch at Rajkot looks to be in prime condition for batting. There would be a hint of a turn from the third day. Otherwise, the flat deck in this ground is perfect for batting. There is a chance that the pitch would start to break after the third day, allowing the spinners to get some turn off the surface. The pace bowlers would have a tough time bowling on this flat pitch.
India has played two previous Test matches at Rajkot. They secured one win and a draw in the other match. In 2018, India beat West Indies by an innings and 278 runs. In the first match back in 2016, India had to settle for a draw against England. The average first innings score at this ground is 649 posted by India against the West Indies. The only instance of win at this ground was achieved by India while choosing to bat first at this ground. The average first score innings at this ground is 356. The average run rate is high with 3.58 runs scored in every over at this ground.
Fixture
India had won both of their Tests at Visakhapatnam prior to this game. The most recent Test match at this ground saw India beat South Africa by 203 runs. India and England have met on 133 occasions prior to this Test match. The visitors have the upper hand with 51 wins. The other 50 Test matches ended in a draw. India has emerged victorious on 32 occasions. In Tests in India, the hosts have won 23 games. Two of England’s 15 Test wins came in 2012, the last time a visiting side had toppled the Indians in their own backyard in a series. The first Test match in India’s history was played against England at Lord’s in June. 1932.
| Venue | The first day of the third Test match between India and England was played at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Saurashtra, Gujarat, India. |
| Date | The game started on Friday, February 15, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. local time. |
Captaincy & Tactics
Ben Duckett’s unbeaten innings of 133 on Friday showcased such ferocious hitting that it left the Indian players hapless and the home fans apprehensive about watching the footage of the second day’s play in the third Test match.
Duckett dismantled India’s revered bowling attack with astonishing ease, notching the fastest Test century by an Englishman against India, reaching the milestone in just 88 deliveries. His blitzkrieg propelled the Three Lions to 207/2 after dismissing India for 445 at the Niranjan Shah Stadium. It’s worth noting that Duckett’s current exploits contrasted starkly with his 2016 tour of India, where he averaged a mere 6.
England’s response commenced in typical fashion, with Zak Crawley and Duckett forging a solid start by accumulating 31 runs in the half-hour before Tea. The introduction of Kuldeep Yadav for England’s first trial by spin in the Test saw Duckett deftly sweeping him for consecutive boundaries.
The diminutive left-hander exhibited an exuberant strokeplay, a blend of audacity and strategy. His journey to a rapid 39-ball fifty was peppered with sweeps, showcasing a particular proficiency square of the wicket, as Mohammed Siraj discovered the hard way when Duckett emphatically dispatched him for three boundaries in a single over. The tactical misstep of not utilizing Ravichandran Ashwin, who had previously troubled Duckett in the series, allowed him to flourish initially.
Subsequently, Ashwin’s introduction led to a much-needed breakthrough as he dismissed Crawley to claim his historic 500th Test wicket. However, this didn’t impede Duckett’s momentum, as he continued his assault, amassing runs at a brisk pace and smashing 84 runs in just 14 overs during the evening session.
Kuldeep incurred 42 runs in six overs before Jasprit Bumrah took over, attempting to exploit reverse swing without breaching Duckett’s defenses. Duckett’s audacious strokes even against good deliveries, including proficient sweep shots, kept England scoring freely, even off Ashwin, who conceded runs at a high rate in his initial spell.
Duckett eventually reached his third Test century with a sublime on-drive off Siraj, building a fruitful fifty partnership with Ollie Pope, who was unfortunately adjudged lbw off Siraj.
In the morning session, Ravindra Jadeja added a mere two runs to his overnight score before falling to Joe Root’s catch. Despite a shaky start that saw James Anderson dismissing nightwatchman Kuldeep, Ashwin and debutant Dhruv Jurel steadied the ship, negotiating England’s key spinners while the pitch exhibited signs of turn.
England seemed to overuse the short-ball strategy early on, with Wood employing aggressive tactics while Jurel capitalized with a remarkable six. The eighth-wicket partnership cautiously built a crucial fifty runs before Bumrah’s enterprising innings helped India inch closer to the 450-run mark.
With England’s formidable batting depth and the game finely poised, the intrigue surrounding the match reflects Sherlock Holmes’s famous adage – “the game is afoot.” The remaining play promises more riveting moments, with both teams poised to capitalize on the opportunities that lie ahead.
Batting Analysis
Ben Duckett’s extraordinary century, achieved in a mere 88 deliveries, ranks as the third quickest against India in their home turf. His blazing innings, devoid of any fortune-driven streakiness, delivered a masterclass in controlled aggression. Notably, Duckett’s boundary count of 19 fours and one colossal six during his initial 102 runs bore no mark of fortuitous edges, underscoring his impeccable timing and shot selection.
Astonishingly, Duckett single-handedly propelled England to a formidable total of 207 runs with a dazzling 133 runs, out of which only two wickets were lost in a brisk 35 overs on the second day. In stark contrast, India struggled to add a mere 119 runs to their overnight score of 326 for 5 in the first half of the day, plagued by familiar woes of losing wickets without a structured batting approach against England’s skillful bowlers.
Impervious to the bowlers’ tactics, Duckett disrupted India’s plans with an array of strokes, capitalizing on width offered by the pacers and outmaneuvering the spinners with sweeping and reverse-sweeping finesse. Even the milestone moment of R Ashwin claiming his 500th Test wicket with the dismissal of Zak Crawley was swiftly overshadowed by Duckett’s aggressive batting display, as he took on Ashwin with audacious strokes.
Despite some initial close calls, including being beaten several times in the first few overs, Duckett’s unwavering intent to attack prevailed. Meanwhile, Ollie Pope and Crawley, who had shone previously in the series, were relegated to bystanders as Duckett’s dominance overshadowed their contributions.
The partnership between Duckett and Crawley proved to be a formidable challenge for India, as they effortlessly accumulated runs, leaving the hosts scrambling for effective strategies. Even as India’s best bowlers toiled without success, England’s dominance remained unchallenged, defying any pressure traditionally associated with scoreboard advantage.
Bowling Analysis
Recognizing the need to alter the game’s pace, India resorted to tactics like deploying a bouncer-filled field reminiscent of England’s strategy with Mark Wood. However, Duckett’s relentless onslaught persisted, frustrating India’s attempts to regain control.
As the day progressed, England’s batting lineup continued to flourish, evading substantial pressure. Despite occasional breakthroughs, notably with Siraj’s wicket of Pope, England maintained a strong position at 182 for 2 in just 30 overs, setting a daunting challenge for the hosts.
Even as the day approached its conclusion, Duckett’s aggressive stance persisted, with him lofting a remarkable six off Jadeja and narrowly surviving Ashwin’s attempted dismissal. Mirroring the challenges faced by India in securing wickets, the visitors maintained composure and dominance throughout their innings.
The arduous task of dismissing the English batsmen serves as a stark reminder to India of their own batting frailties, with innings partnerships proving pivotal in shaping the course of the match. The series narrative unfolds the story of India’s fledgling batting lineup, underscored by their struggles to weather England’s relentless onslaught and capitalize on key moments of opportunity.
India retaliated with a taste of their own medicine against England, as Sarfaraz Bazballing his way to a scintillating fifty, leaving the spectators in awe. Despite his formidable display, the 26-year-old met an unfortunate run-out due to a misjudgment by Jadeja. Nevertheless, India wrapped up the day at 326/5, with Jadeja standing strong and unbeaten on 110.
While Rohit and Jadeja’s centuries were remarkable, Sarfaraz emerged as the true star of the day. The persistent calls for his selection persist, and the Mumbai batsman showcased his mettle with no signs of nervousness. He outshone Jadeja, contributing a significant 43 runs out of the initial 50 runs scored together. His calm dismantling of the spinners, confidently chipping down the wicket and sweeping them effortlessly, was reminiscent of a seasoned veteran with 50 Tests under his belt. His dedication in domestic cricket reflected in his stellar performance on the international stage. With his father and wife cheering from the stands, Sarfaraz’s innings, starting with a single to get off the mark in Test cricket, progressed dynamically. Although his knock was curtailed at 62, Sarfaraz tantalized viewers with a glimpse of his potential for big scores ahead.
The Rajkot pitch displayed no malevolence, prompting optimism for Day 2 to be even more conducive to batting, as evidenced by Rohit’s reaction to the early dismissals of Jaiswal and Gill. However, lingering in the minds of both England’s and India’s batters were some deliveries that troubled them. Tom Hartley’s ability to extract grip and turn as early as the 12th over, coupled with deliveries that kept low towards the end of the day, hinted at challenges ahead. Jadeja, currently wielding the bat admirably, eagerly anticipated Ashwin’s quest for his milestone 500th Test wicket, foreseeing success in his prophecy.
Furthermore, the monumental occasion of Stokes’ 100th Test looms on the horizon, adding an extra layer of significance to the unfolding drama between the two cricketing giants.
Fielding Analysis
Ollie Pope has been one of the best fielders of this series so far. But the right hander batter missed a dolly at midwicket. Dhruv Jurel got a lifeline after Pope put him down off Tom Hartley. Ben Foakes was the star man for the English players by completing three catches. James Anderson took a sharp catch to get rid of Ashwin. Joe Root took a good return catch to dismiss Jadeja. On the first day, Mark Wood’s brilliant throw dismissed Sarfaraz Khan who looked to be in fine touch.
Rajat Patidar did not enjoy the best of times with the bat. However, the young batsman would find a niche for him in the history books by becoming a part of Ashwin’s record setting dismissal. Zak Crawley’s awry sweep shot reached Patidar at fine leg. He took a few steps back to adjust himself and took a fine catch as Ashwin became the first Indian off-spinner to reach 500 wickets.
Key Performances
Ben Duckett showed the destructive form of “Bazball” in his innings of 133 from 118 balls. The left-hander hit 21 boundaries and two sixes in his stroke-filled innings. Duckett reached his innings in just 88 balls, making it the third quickest century against India on their home soil. Ollie Pope played well in his 39 from 55 deliveries but he eventually got dismissed by a steeping delivery from Mohammed Siraj.
Ravichandran Ashwin made history as he became the second Indian and overall ninth cricketer to reach the 500 wicket mark in Test cricket. Ashwin picked up the important wicket of Zak Crawley to give England an early setback.
Earlier on the day, Ravindra Jadeja got dismissed by Joe Root at the score of 112. Dhruv Jurel impressed on his debut by scoring 46 runs from 104 deliveries. The Uttar Pradesh batter hit 2 fours and 3 sixes in the first innings of his career. Ravichandran Ashwin gave him good company by scoring 37 runs. Jasprit Bumrah also had a telling contribution with a quickfire 26 from 28 deliveries.
Mark Wood was the hero for the Englishmen with a four wicket haul. The pace bowler was a relentless menace and delivered 28 overs in sweltering heat. Wood finished his bowling spell with the figures of 4 for 114. Rehan Ahmed secured two wickets for 115 runs. Tom Hartley, James AndersonSiraj
Joe Root claimed one wicket apiece.
Day Result
England are trailing by 238 runs at the close of day’s play. The Englishmen would be looking to take a lead on day three. Ben Duckett is still at the crease having scored 133 from 118 deliveries.
Brief Scorecard
| India First Innings: 445/10 (130.5 overs) | England First Innings: 207/2 (35 overs) |
| Rohit Sharma 131 (196) | Ben Duckett 133 (118) |
| Ravindra Jadeja 112 (225) | Ollie Pope 39 (55) |
| Mark Wood 4/114 (27.5 overs) | Ravichandran Ashwin 1/37 (7 overs) |
| Rehan Ahmed 2/85 (22 overs) | Mohammed Siraj 1/54 (10 overs) |
Day Highlights
Day Wrap-Up
With Ravichandran Ashwin missing from the team, the Indian bowlers would have to be immaculate if they want to take a lead in the first innings. On the other hand, the English batsmen would look to score runs in the same vein by hitting regular boundaries. With the deck showing no signs of cracking, India need to bowl England out quickly if they want to win the match and put themselves ahead in the series.
