England still needs 506 runs while India needs three wickets to win the 3rd Test in Rajkot.
Last Updated: 03.55 PM, Feb 18, 2024
After amassing a lead of 557 runs, thanks to Yashasvi Jaiswal's double century and splendid batting performances from Shubman Gill and Sarfaraz Khan, England faced a daunting task in chasing down the score at the now-renamed Niranjan Shah Cricket Stadium in Rajkot. With seven wickets already fallen and the visitors managing only 51 runs, the question arises: Will Team India wrap up the 3rd Test on Day 4 itself?
With 26 overs completed and 15 overs remaining in the day, and only the lower order left to bat, the chances of the Men in Blue seeking to conclude proceedings swiftly are high. England still needs 506 runs to win while India needs three wickets.
For India, Ravindra Jadeja has claimed three wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav has two and Jasprit Bumrah one. Zak Crawley (11), Ben Duckett (4), Ollie Pope (3), Joe Root (7), Jonny Bairstow (4), and skipper Ben Stokes (15) all fell like a pack of cards.
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Additionally, the Indian side received a boost as R Ashwin returned to the field after briefly leaving to visit his unwell mother in Chennai.
Earlier in the day, rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed his second double-century, overcoming back spasms from Day 3. His partner Sarfaraz Khan also contributed with a half-century, scoring 68 runs. However, skipper Rohit Sharma fell for 19, followed swiftly by Rajat Patidar's dismissal with a 10-ball duck. Night-watchman Kuldeep Yadav briefly partnered with Gill before being run out, having scored 27 runs.
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For the Three Lions, Joe Root, Rehan Ahmed, and Tom Hartley each claimed a wicket. The visitors are in dire need of wickets to curtail India's lead and pursue the target.
India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
England (Playing XI): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes(c), Ben Foakes(w), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, James Anderson