India made a mockery of England in the third Test of the five-match series, smashing the visitors by 434 runs in Rajkot on Sunday. This is their biggest win in terms of runs in their 577 Test history, and also the first time that they’ve won by a margin of 400 runs or more. India surpassed their 372-run victory over New Zealand in 2021. The win allowed India to go 2-1 up in the series and leapfrog Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table. The Rohit Sharma-led side are now second in the WTC points table.
New Zealand remain on top with a point percentage of 75% after four Tests in the cycle. India are second with 59.52% while Australia are just behind with 55%.
Coming back to the match, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s unbeaten double century and five wickets by Ravindra Jadeja helped India crush England by a record 434 runs.
Chasing 557 for victory, England batting fell like a pack of cards to lose eight wickets in the final session and get bundled out for 122 on day four in Rajkot.
Jadeja got Mark Wood out for 33 as the final wicket, and he kissed the pitch as India’s registered their biggest ever win in terms of runs.
England lost their openers including first-innings centurion Ben Duckett, run out on four before tea, and Jadeja rattled the middle-order with his left-arm spin.
Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root extended their poor run in the five-match series and got out for four and seven respectively.
Skipper Ben Stokes attempted to resist the Indian bowling force, but fell lbw to left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav for 15 in his landmark 100th Test.
The left-handed Jaiswal stood out with his 214 off 236 balls to flay the opposition attack as India declared their second innings on 430-4.
The opener returned to bat in the morning session after he retired hurt on 104 late on day three due to back pain. He raised his second double ton in consecutive matches with a single off Root — and jumped in joy.
Jaiswal hit a record-equalling 12 sixes in his knock which included three straight hits over the fence off James Anderson — a first for the veteran quick with 696 wickets in 185 Tests.
England won the opener by 28 runs but India bounced back in the second match before their second straight win.
The fourth Test starts on Friday in Ranchi.
(With AFP Inputs)
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