IND vs ENG: 3rd Test: Where Did England's Batting Go Wrong?

What a remarkable victory for India! With an exceptional performance, they now lead the series 2-1. The hosts displayed their unique style of ‘Bazball’ and clinched victory by a whopping margin of 434 runs. This win marks India’s biggest victory in Test history in terms of runs. It was a team effort, with the batters laying a solid foundation.

Centuries from Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja in the first innings, along with impressive knocks from Shubman Gill (91) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (double century) in the second innings, showcased India’s dominance. Debutants Sarfaraz Khan also made valuable contributions with two half-centuries, while Dhruv Jurel impressed with both bat and gloves. Despite having opportunities, England faltered on Day 3 and must take responsibility for the outcome.

See Also: IND vs ENG, 3rd Test: Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan – A Comparative Analysis

Understanding England’s Batting Woes: A Comprehensive Analysis

India began Day 4 of the Test match holding a substantial lead of 322 runs, with Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav at the crease, steadily adding to the team’s total. However, their partnership was cut short due to a misunderstanding between the batsmen, resulting in Gill’s dismissal for 91 runs, falling agonizingly short of what would have been a well-deserved century. Shortly after, Kuldeep also departed, leaving India in a somewhat precarious position.

Despite England’s hopes of gaining some respite with these quick breakthroughs, Yashasvi Jaiswal, the centurion from the previous day, continued to display his exceptional form. Alongside Sarfaraz Khan, they formed a formidable partnership, launching a relentless assault on the visiting team’s bowling attack, particularly after the Tea break. Their aggressive batting approach put England under immense pressure and tilted the match further in India’s favor.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the debutant, once again showcased his immense talent by registering another half-century, further cementing his place in the team. Meanwhile, Jaiswal’s exceptional performance saw him achieve a remarkable milestone, becoming only the third Indian player to score back-to-back double-centuries in a Test series. Additionally, he equaled the legendary Wasim Akram’s record for the most sixes in a Test innings, hitting an impressive 12 maximums.

With India’s dominance evident, they eventually declared their innings, setting a daunting target of 557 runs for England to chase down. However, England’s batting performance fell short of expectations as they struggled to cope with the Indian bowlers’ relentless pressure. Despite some late fireworks from Mark Wood, including a flurry of boundaries, England never seemed to be in contention for the chase.

The local hero, Ravindra Jadeja, emerged as the star performer with the ball for India, claiming a remarkable five-wicket haul. His brilliant bowling display ensured that England’s batting collapse continued, ultimately leading to India securing their biggest win in terms of runs in Test cricket.

According to Ben Stokes, England’s captain, Ben Duckett provided a solid start in the first innings, but unfortunately, the middle-order batters failed to capitalize on it and couldn’t contribute enough runs. Stokes acknowledges that there are varied opinions about the style of Test cricket England plays, but when it proves effective, everyone acknowledges its value. He expresses confidence that the team will bounce back strongly in the next game and aims to level the series.