Indiaâs Dhruv Jurel in motion throughout the 2nd day of third Test towards England at Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, Gujarat on February 16, 2024.
| Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI
When a characteristic movie trudges alongside until the interval, out of the blue picks up tempo and even has a memorable scene and a fantastic climax, it seldom has takers. Thatâs the place reside sport differs from a piece of fiction. The similar was on show in loads on the second day of the third Test between India and England.
After the proceedings of the primary half plodded lengthy on the Niranjan Shah Stadium, a stark distinction was witnessed later on Friday. A milestone second that the cricket world eagerly awaited for the reason that begin of the collection got here into actuality.
As a lot as R. Ashwin scaling Mt. 500 â solely the second Indian bowler to take action â the dayâs play will likely be remembered for England opener Ben Duckettâs unbeaten blitzkrieg. As a outcome, after Indiaâs late-order annoyed England earlier than being bowled out for 445, England sprinted to 207 for 2 in simply 35 overs to go away a tantalising weekend on the playing cards for the cricket followers.
India right down to 10 males for remainder of Rajkot Test
Hours after celebrating his 500th Test wicket, Ashwin withdrew from the Test squad as a consequence of a medical emergency at house. âIn these difficult instances, the BCCI and the crew absolutely helps Ashwin,â secretary Jay Shah mentioned in an announcement.
India should play with 10 males for the remainder of the Rajkot Test in its place shouldn’t be allowed
Duckett began off his flurry with a backfoot punch off pacers. And surviving the six-over spell earlier than tea regardless of adopting a hit-and-miss method, Duckett was at his most interesting when it got here to executing high-risk photographs.
The left-hander swept â often reverse-swept â Kuldeep Yadavâs Cinaman out of assault. Even after Ashwin was launched into the assault, he continued to focus on the on-side â towards flip, though the pitch hardly had something to supply â and swept with panache.
Just when Zak Crawley had began opening his arms up, the second of reckoning got here within the eighth over of the final session.
Crawleyâs tried sweep off Ashwin resulted in a top-edge and Rajat Patidar at brief fine-leg accepted the catch neatly to make the off-spinner solely the second Indian bowler â ninth general â to realize the feat. The landmark led to every of the India team-member congratulating him and the remainder of the stadium â together with Anil Kumble, the one different Indian to have achieved it who was commentating â giving him a standing ovation.
Duckett although was unperturbed as he continued his spree. Even within the 90s, he first creamed Jasprit Bumrah alongside the bottom for a 4 after which accomplished his third hundred within the subsequent over with one other on-drive off Mohammed Siraj.
Ollie Pope joined the act as he performed an audacious reverse-scoop off Ravindra Jadeja over the âkeeperâs head. While Siraj received Pope with an incoming supply, Duckett marched on. If he had not survived an in depth lbw shout that might not be confirmed as a consequence of DRS, India would have breathed straightforward by shut of play.
Earlier within the morning, regardless of shedding Kuldeep and Jadeja early on, Ashwin and debutant wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel annoyed the England fielders with a 71-run partnership.
The most taking place motion throughout Indiaâs batting essay was when Ashwin was discovered operating between the wickets within the hazard space. Since Jadeja was responsible of the identical offence on the opening day, the umpires awarded 5 runs to England.