| 3rd Test, Rajkot (Day 3 of 5): |
| India 445 (Rohit 131, Jadeja 112, Wood 4-114) &196-2 (Jaishwar 104, Gill 65*) |
| england 319 (Duckett 153, Stokes 41, Siraj 4-84) |
| India leads by 322 runs |
| scorecard |
A dramatic collapse and a spectacular Yashasvi Jaiswar century on the third day left England in a dire position in the third Test as India took complete control of Rajkot.
In a breathtaking fightback on the second night, England appeared to have all the momentum in their hands as they restarted with 207-2 against India's 445 runs.
However, the tourists lost their last eight wickets for 95 runs and were bowled out for 319. The implosion began when Joe Root's reverse scoop on Jasprit Bumrah's pace was caught at second slip.
Jonny Bairstow got Duck's fourth ball out and Ben Duckett expertly hit and covered a very wide throw from Kuldeep Yadav to fall for 153.
Captain Ben Stokes, who scored 41 runs, took the lead with a final slider of 5-29 after lunch as England conceded a 126-run deficit in the first innings.
Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep conjured a mesmerizing spell, paceman Mohammed Siraj took 4-84, and India's bowlers pulled out of the Test overnight due to a family emergency.Ravichandra He showed great effort following Ng Ashwin's loss.
Jaiswal further extended India's home advantage by hitting his second hundred of the match and also added 155 with Shubman Gill to leave him with 65 runs.
England's bowlers were pulled away by India's free scoring in the evening session before Jaiswal retired on 104 with a hip problem.
By the end, the hosts had a lead of 196-2, 322 points, and were poised to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
England waste a golden opportunity
This was a great opportunity for England. Even with Ashwin, India suffered a crushing defeat on the second night and the tourists had the foundations that could have given them a win.
Given the circumstances, there were doubts as to whether England would allow Ashwin to replace him in India's eleven. England showed compassion and generosity in their batting as the match conditions did not allow for such a move.
It was a similar wreck to England's self-destruction in the second Ashes Test at Lord's, which Australia took part in after Nathan Ryan was injured. Perhaps this was an even bigger waste and could even have been England's worst day under Stokes' captaincy.
The spotlight will be on Root and the nature of his dismissal. No doubt it was ugly and unnecessary, but he was not the only England player guilty of poor strokes.
England repeated their mistakes from the second Test in Visakhapatnam, having too much to do in the second after a sloppy first innings. They will be bullish on the final chase but the way the pitch has deteriorated will make a comeback in India very difficult. This match is showing signs of a sudden turnaround.
Given an unexpectedly large lead, Jaiwal and Gill scorched England in the scorching sun and already Stokes' side face the greatest chase by a visiting team in the country.
Fundamental scoop triggers England's collapse
Barring some easy bowling in the first Test in Hyderabad, Root has endured a tough tour. He hit just 29 in five innings and took a crucial slip catch from Rohit Sharma on the first morning of this Test.
The reverse scoop became his trademark under Stokes' captaincy, but in this situation it was a grave error in judgment. Jaiswal took a sharp catch and handed Jasprit Bumrah his ninth dismissal of Root in Test cricket.
England never recovered. Bairstow took the lead by parrying Kuldeep's sharp turner. Duckett, who made an astonishing 133 not out on Friday, added 20 more runs but was caught twice and could have been run out before toe-ending one from Kuldeep that barely reached him.
Stokes took his time before lunch, but was unable to resist the onslaught of Ravindra Jadeja shortly after and was caught at long-on.
The lower ranks have been exposed. Ben Foakes tapped Siraj through mid-on and Tom Hartley stumbled as he sprinted past Jadeja.
Rehan Ahmed and James Anderson both fell victim to the deadly Siraj Yorker. In total, England lost their last five wickets in just her 38 deliveries.
India defies expectations and takes the lead
India's misery on Friday was compounded by the loss of Ashwin, but the hosts still rallied with incredible spirit to take control of the match and the series.
Kuldeep transformed from a man beaten by Duckett and bowled a mesmerizing spell of 12 consecutive overs. Siraj is lethal with a reverse swing. Rohit captained the team skillfully, especially defensively, which frustrated Duckett.
Rohit gave England their best moment of the day by dominating Root as a LBW under review, but then rising stars Jaiswal and Gill proved once again why they are the future of Indian batting.
They were cautious up to the point when Anderson set Jaiswal with six fielders on the leg side. The left-handed pitcher was 35 of 73 pitches at this stage, but he flipped the switch and hit three straight sixes and two walks.
Jaiswal was unstoppable from then on, smashing 65 from the next 49 balls to reach his third Test hundred with a four, celebrating with what is becoming his trademark open arms.
Gill remained silent, hitting Root for six in a row and drawing Wood just one more time. Jaiswal hunkered down with every swing, giving way to Rajat Patidar, who somehow missed Hartley's long hop to midwicket.
“England has been taught a lesson” – Reaction
England opening pitcher Ben Duckett told BBC Sport: “They were bowling very well. Maybe their plan was a little more clear and the conditions were tougher. Whatever the circumstances, we're going to punch back at them. They're great. I thought I was batting.”
Regarding Mr. Root's dismissal: “He earned the right to do that. That shot was very good.”
On what England can chase: “The more the better. This team is all about doing special things and making history. They can get as much as they want and we'll go get it.”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan: “England have been taught the lesson that Test cricket has its highs and lows, and sometimes I wish they had a little common sense.
“They should have enough temperament and skill to bat for most of the day, but they failed.”
Former England spinner Phil Tufnell: “Another great performance from Jaiswal. He knows when to absorb pressure and knows when to turn on the gas. He will be around for a long, long time.”
