India handed over a massive target of 557 runs to England, as they declared their second innings at 430/4. Yashasvi Jaiswal turned out to be the star for the hosts as he slammed yet another double hundred. This was Jaiswal’s second overall and consecutive double ton of the series. The left-handed batter remained unbeaten on 214 runs from 236 balls and smashed 14 fours and 12 sixes during his stay.
Yashasvi Jaiswal put up an unbeaten stand of 172 runs from just 158 balls along with Sarfaraz Khan for the 5th wicket. Jaiswal smashed his back-to-back centuries in the match and remained unbeaten on 68 runs from 72 balls, with 6 fours and 3 sixes. Sarfaraz deserved a hundred, but as India needed time to bowl out England, Rohit Sharma declared the innings.
Watch: Yashasvi Jaiswal gets a heartfelt gesture from Sarfaraz Khan
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Apart from giving support to Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan showcased a brilliant gesture to greet the left-handed batter. Sarfaraz stood behind and asked Jaiswal to take center stage and walk back to the dressing room first, as he had been the star of the second innings.
Yashasvi Jaiswal retired hurt on Day 3 on 104 runs after he faced a back spasm. There was no update on Jaiswal whether he would return to the crease or not, however, the young left-handed batter continued the momentum from where he left the crease and began to bat with more aggressive intent ever since he returned to the crease on Day 4.
Talking about Sarfaraz Khan, it has been a wonderful debut Test match for the right-handed batter. Sarfaraz scored 62 runs in the first innings but unfortunately got run out. However, the righty batsman batted with the same intent in the second innings as well and stood up to the expectations stood to the expectations of the Indian management.
India had struggled to bat up to there full potential in the series so far. This included the poor form of the Indian batsmen such as KS Bharat and Shreyas Iyer. Also, captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were not able to express themselves to the fullest in the first two Tests. However, Gill scored a ton in the second Test match whereas, Rohit slammed a century in the first innings of the 3rd Test.
While the Indian team included Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan in place of Shreyas Iyer and KS Bharat, they proved the decision of the Indian management right, and the hosts batted with their full potential in the 3rd Test.
India now would be aiming to wrap up England as early as possible and win the match to gain a lead in the five-match series. However, throughout the current Test series against India, the visitors have shown themselves to be quite proficient. On Days 4 or 5, the three lions won’t rule out pursuing any target that India assigns them. England plays “bazball,” an aggressive and attacking style of cricket, and India’s goal is to win the match and bowl out the three lions to take the lead in the series.
However, chasing down the target will not be easy for England on Day 4 and 5.