Ravindra Jadeja and Yashasvi Jaiswal break through Bazball as India thrash England for their largest win in Test cricket.

By – Prakarsh Kastwar

India smashed England for 434 runs, their highest in Test cricket, to take a 2-1 lead.

Yashasvi Jaiswal produced a stunning double century, while Ravindra Jadeja concluded with 5/41 as India defeated England by 434 runs in the Rajkot Test, their largest ever victory in four days. England, chasing 557, were knocked out for 114, their sixth-lowest Test score against India, with Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav rampaging through their batting order.

Jaiswal’s successive Test double set the tone for India’s declaration of 430/4 in the second innings. Jaiswal, who was forced to retire hurt on 104 on Saturday, stepped out today when Shubman Gill’s wicket fell after being run out for 91. By the end of Jaiswal’s and India’s innings, the only question on everyone’s mind was, “Retired hurt, who?” That’s how talented Jaiswal was.

He went on a rampage, wreaking havoc during a quickfire 172-run partnership with Sarfaraz Khan, who scored his second fifty of the game. The rookie went on a hitting rampage, finishing unbeaten on 68 off 72 balls with six fours and three sixes, but the day clearly belonged to Jaiswal, who remained unbroken on 214 off 236 deliveries.

Their cumulative thumping of England was enough to set the visitors a lofty goal, which they failed to achieve. The writing was on the wall from the time their centurion, Ben Duckett, was run out in the final innings. Ollie Pope and Jonny Bairstow were all over the place, and Zak Crawley continued to struggle against Jasprit Bumrah. At 24/5, England saw a glimmer of hope when Ben Stokes and Joe Root attempted to resist, but it only delayed the inevitable.

In pursuit of a difficult goal, England suffered a shocking collapse, with only two of their top six batsmen reaching double figures – Zak Crawley (7) and Stokes (15). India asserted dominance over the English team from the start, with England taking an extremely cautious approach to the first innings.

England’s opening pair, Crawley and Duckett, noted for their fearless and aggressive strokeplay, took a defensive approach, playing two consecutive maiden overs before scoring their first runs in the third. However, England suffered a setback when Dhruv Jurel’s outstanding athletic performance resulted in Duckett’s elimination. This wicket set off a collapse for the visitors, with Crawley falling shortly after to a stunning delivery from Bumrah just before tea.

Over to the spinners.

As a result, the surface became a spinner’s paradise, with Kuldeep and Jadeja wreaking havoc on the English batting lineup. Pope was the first to leave, falling victim to Jadeja’s quick twisting delivery. Bairstow, who had a duck in the previous innings, met a same fate when he was dismissed shortly after.

England’s cornerstone, Root, who had received criticism for his dismissals in the Test series, attempted to anchor the innings alongside Stokes. However, India won a close LBW judgment when a review revealed that the ball clipped the stumps. Stokes was also caught and bowled by Kuldeep Yadav. The DRS indicated that the ball would strike the leg stump, costing England a review in their innings (Root’s review was deemed an umpire’s call).

Tom Hartley and Mark Wood came out swinging, particularly the latter, who hit a few amusing boundaries, but it was just a matter of time. India defeated England in fewer than 40 overs, securing a 2-1 lead.