Follow UsIndia ran through England’s batting order on Day 4 to win the Rajkot Test by 434 runs. It is India's biggest margin of victory in Test cricket (excluding matches won by an innings).
On Day 1, India were 33/3 after opting to bat first before hundreds from Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja bailed the team out. Yet, England finished Day 2 in a strong position - 228 runs behind with eight wickets in hand and the centurion Ben Duckett in the middle. Thereon, India won six sessions in a row to bury England’s hopes and lead the five-match series 2-1. On Day 4, India declared at 430/4 and set England 557 to chase. However, the Three Lions folded for 122 in 39.4 overs.
“When you are playing Test cricket, it is not played over 2-3 days,” said India’s skipper Rohit Sharma about the message to the team at the end of Day 2. “We do understand the importance of playing over 5 days. They played well and put us under pressure. We have got class in our bowling, the message was to stay calm and I'm really proud of how we came back the next day. When those things happen, it's a delight,” Rohit spoke about the hosts’ comeback.
Jadeja won the Player of the Match award for his seven wickets in the match and more crucially, scoring 112 in the first innings. The all-rounder missed the previous Test due to a strained hamstring but returned for this Test, also his home venue, and batted at five in the first innings.
“For this game, we thought he [Jadeja] has got so much experience and a lot of runs as well, we wanted that left-right combo, Sarfaraz with the quality he has got, we wanted him to have time. We saw what he could do with the bat.
“It's not a long-term view, we go with the flow and what we feel on that particular day, looking at the opposition, the bowling attack. We calculate everything and then go with the flow.” Rohit said about Jadeja’s promotion.
Rohit reckoned there were many turning points in the game and winning the toss was vital. “Lots of turning points. It was a good toss to win. We know how important in India it is to win the toss.” Rohit said. “The way we came back and bowled after that onslaught. The bowlers showed a lot of character, not to forget we did not have our most experienced bowler as well. With the bat we knew the job was half-done, those two youngsters got us the lead we wanted and obviously, Jadeja with the ball in the 2nd innings was superb,” Rohit answered.
The Indian skipper praised his opening partner, Yashasvi Jaiswal who scored his second double hundred, finishing unbeaten on 214. “I want to be calm about him and not talk a lot about him. He's started his career on a high. I want him to continue doing well,” he said.