Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja made classical Test match hundreds while debutant Sarfaraz Khan announced his arrival on the big stage with a fluent half-century as India reached 326 for five at stumps on day one of the third Test against England here on Thursday.
Captain Rohit Sharma›s innings of 131 in the first innings propelled India to a total of 326-5 on the opening day of the third Test against England, orchestrating a remarkable comeback after the visitors had made an electric start. Despite losing the toss, England found early success as Mark Wood claimed the wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal for 10 and Shubman Gill for just five.
The home side faced adversity when Tom Hartley dismissed Rajat Patidar for a mere five runs, leaving the hosts struggling at 33-3. However, as moisture dissipated from a flat pitch, Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja guided India to 185-3 by tea.
The visitors experienced frustration as Sharma survived a dropped catch on 27 from Hartley’s bowling, and an overturned lbw call off Anderson in the subsequent over. Eventually, Sharma was dismissed after notching up his latest century, caught off Wood. Sarfaraz Khan then joined Jadeja, who was on the verge of reaching a century of his own.
Khan accelerated, reaching his 50 off 48 balls just before India reached the 300-run mark. It took another 15 runs before Jadeja achieved his century off 199 deliveries.
Wood struck again, this time running out Khan for 62 from 66 balls, exposing the middle order as the day drew to a close.
India, having won the second Test to level the series at 1-1, faced England›s bid to become the first away side to win a Test series in India in more than a decade.
The teams had over a week to prepare for the third match, prompting England to alter their approach for the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.
