England asserted their dominance over India on Day 2 of the third Test in Rajkot as they finished the Day on 207/2 in 35 overs with Joe Root (9* off 13) and Ben Duckett (133* off 118) at the crease. England got off to a great start as openers Zak Crawley (15 off 28) and Ben Duckett got involved in an 89-run stand off 79 balls. Ravichandran Ashwin got the first strike for India dismissing Crawley while Mohammed Siraj dismissed Ollie Pope (39 off 55).
Earlier in the day, India resumed their innings on the overnight score of 326/5 with Ravindra Jadeja (110*) and Kuldeep Yadav (1*) at the crease. Kuldeep couldn’t survive for long in the first session as James Anderson got him caught behind on 4 (24). Jadeja also could just two more runs to his overnight score and got dismissed for 112(225) getting caught and bowled by Joe Root leaving India on 331/7.
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After two early wickets, Ravichandran Ashwin (37 off 89) and Dhruv Jurel (46 off 104) got involved in a massive 77-run stand for the eighth wicket to take India past 400. However, they failed to complete their respective half-centuries falling prey to Rehan Ahmed. Jasprit Bumrah played a brilliant cameo of 26 (28) as India finished their innings on 445.
Here are the highlights from Day 2 of IND vs ENG 3rd Test:
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1. Dhruv Jurel makes full use of chances given by England
After Sarfaraz Khan got into the limelight with his brilliant debut fifty, Dhruv Jurel also played a crucial knock down the order. He was dropped twice by Ollie Pope and Ben Stokes respectively and made full use of the opportunities. The 23-year-old narrowly missed out on a half-century scoring 46 (104) with the help of two fours and three sixes.
2. Jasprit Bumrah plays a brilliant cameo
India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah starred with the bat as well playing a brilliant cameo of 26 (28). Bumrah smacked three fours and a six in his innings helping India reach 445 in their first innings.
3. Ravichandran Ashwin completes 500 Test wickets
India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin etched his name in record books as he became the second fastest bowler to pick 500 wickets in Test cricket. Ashwin achieved the landmark in his 184th bowling innings getting Zak Crawly top edge a sweep shot to short fine leg.
4. Ben Duckett’s hundred frustrates India
England opener Ben Duckett frustrated the Indian bowlers with his quickfire century on Day 2. The southpaw first completed his fifty off 39 balls and later completed his hundred off 88 balls. He finished the day unbeaten on 133 (118) smashing 21 fours and two sixes in his innings.
Here are some of the reactions on the enthralling Day’s Play:
To have one front-line bowler who can score you runs under pressure is already a huge advantage in Test Cricket, BUT to have two in @ashwinravi99 and @imjadeja winning games with the ball and then scoring runs too is almost unfair😄 Incredible value that these two add👏
Eng off…
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) February 16, 2024
Really surprised India’s spinners haven’t Bowled over the wicket and into the bowlers foot holes with both Pope & Duckett sweeping so much .. #INDvsENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 16, 2024
Wow .. now that’s a Test 100 .. it’s up with anything you have seen .. Ben Duckett is some player to watch .. #INDvENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 16, 2024
500 Test wickets for a one-in-a-million bowler!
In AshWIN the SpinNER, there was always a WINNER. 500 wickets is a huge milestone in Test cricket. Congratulations, Champion!#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/Cb48ZJE3XO
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 16, 2024
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