A determined Indian Team led by a dogged Rohit Sharma, a couple of debutants , and a bunch of young, persistent cricketers, had all the answers to the much acclaimed Bazball. They posed some tough questions of their own too, and pulled off an incredible victory over England with 434 runs in the bag at Rajkot, taking a good 2-1 lead in the 5 match series.
A Team That Keeps Coming Back
The Indians were relentless once they overcame two precarious situations in the game. At 33/3, Rohit Sharma and Jadeja stitched a marathon partnership with a ton each, debutants Sarfaraz and Jurel showed exceptional steadfastness and ferried India to 445 runs. And again, when Ben Duckett went on slaying the Indian bowling with a breathtaking display of stroke making, the Indian shoulders did not drop. The onslaught was absorbed and once Duckett departed, India seized the initiative. Kuldeep and Siraj bowled brilliantly and ensured India had a massive lead of 126 runs going into the second innings. Indians were far ahead in the game and it was no looking back thereafter.
A Yashasvi Special
With their noses ahead, the belligerence of Yashasvi and his whirlwind double ton, shut the doors on England for good, making a comeback for the Three Lions a possibility of the remotest kind. The young southpaw was at his attacking best, coming off a stiff back, he spared none and the English bowlers including the great Anderson suffered as Yashasvi bludgeoned 12 sixes. Gill and Sarfaraz too chipped in with fine knocks and it was virtually game over, with England requiring a mammoth 557 runs to win.
England Succumb
Chasing 557, the England innings was a non-starter. India kept on the pressure and took wickets at will. There was no resistance coming as the famed England batting, boasting of some big names, withered away as fragile leaves in the ‘Fall’, and when Stokes left the scene sweeping to a fullish ball, England had been reduced to 50 for 6 and eventually, Jadeja with a 5 fer, hastened the end at 122. It was India’s biggest victory ever with 434 runs, in the history of Indian Cricket.
An Imprudent England
There is an old saying that ‘ Discretion is a better part of valour ‘ and England after the defeat in Vizag were expected to be a bit more wiser. However, they had not learnt their lesson and paid the price with an absolute mauling in Rajkot. Barring Ben Duckett, the English batting was poor. Joe Root, one of the finest Test batsman to come out of England, got out playing a reverse scoop to Bumrah ( can you imagine ). The no- brainer, reckless effort opened the doors for India. Root and Bairstow have been disappointing in the series and I have a hunch that Bairstow might just have played his last game on the Tour.
The England Bowling was just average, the pitches have been helpful too , its just that Anderson ( now in his 40s ) has not much left in the tank and Mark Wood is clueless beyond bowling quick. The spinners are inexperienced and the way they doled out half-trackers and full tosses every now and then to the quality Indian batters, England had no chance. There was a complete lack of preparation and strategy. So imprudent.
Indiscipline in both departments, no application of mind and an inflexible approach ( bordering on the side of arrogance ), that too in Indian conditions, against a talented Indian side, is looking for disaster. India is far ahead in this series now, more mentally than physically and it will not be a surprise if Ranchi and Dharamshala go the Rajkot way.
Bravo…Team India !!
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Featured Image : A victorious Indian Team at Rajkot