Xtra Time Web Desk: Yashasvi Jaiswal continued to showcase his brilliance, notching up his second century of the ongoing test series while Mohammed Siraj picked a four-fer to propel India into a dominant position at the end of Day 3 of the 3rd Test against England in Rajkot. The hosts orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, amassing a substantial lead of 322 runs by stumps.
Facing the challenge of a potential batting onslaught after the loss of pivotal spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, the Indian bowlers defied expectations with an inspired bowling performance. Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav deserved all credit for the way they bowled. The fast bowler bagged four wickets, while the chinaman bowler, was not readable to the Indian keeper Dhruv Jurel, let alone the opposition batsmen. The duo shared six wickets in all, to hand the team, the advantage.
Despite England starting the day at a comfortable 224/2, they crumbled to 319 all out, with only Ben Stokes showing resistance with a gutsy 41 off 89 balls. The rest of the batting order faltered, leaving India with a commanding 126-run lead, a stark contrast to their precarious situation at the end of Day 2.
At the close of Day 3 in the Rajkot Test, Team India found themselves well-placed at 196/2, holding a lead of 322 runs.
Subsequently, it was the turn of the Indian batters to inflict misery, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill leading the charge. Jaiswal, already with a double ton in the series, secured his third Test century, with Gill also capitalizing on a flat batting deck. The duo, remaining unbeaten on 104 and 65, respectively, added over 150 runs together.
The English bowlers struggled on a hot day, going wicketless and leaking runs. Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav were instrumental with the ball, sharing six wickets in total. Jasprit Bumrah’s dismissal of Joe Root, attempting a reverse sweep, marked a highlight of the day, as England spiraled deeper into trouble with each passing ball.