On the first day of the third Test match between India and England in Rajkot, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, and Sarfaraz Khan came through for the Indians when the team needed them most. India stormed through the first day of Ben Stokes’ 100th Test, going from 33 for 3 to 326 for 5, winning the day and the ongoing Test series. It was another thrilling day.
England must have lamented their lost opportunities, particularly Rohit Sharma’s dropped catch on 27, which cost them a chance to put pressure on an inexperienced Indian batting lineup.
After hitting his 11th Test hundred and silencing his critics, Rohit Sharma let his bat do the talking. After Mark Wood and Tom Hartley removed the Indian top order in the first hour of play on the day, Rohit took a captain’s knock. In the first session, Rohit battled his emotions as he suppressed his innate tendencies and struggled until he found his footing. As he struggled through the period on Thursday morning when the moisture on the pitch was helping the England bowlers, Rohit’s gritty, ugly approach was crucial.
Though the obsessive puller Rohit Sharma fell into England and Mark Wood’s trap, the captain had done his job, striking first with 131 and taking the opposition by surprise. India won the first game thanks to Rohit’s determination and fluid style. The dressing room appeared more laid back as the captain found his rhythm at the Niranjan Shah Stadium.
HOMETOWN HERO JADEJA STEPS UP
However, Ravindra Jadeja struck his first century for India at number five, demonstrating that he is more than just a floater. The all-rounder, who was moved up to No. 5, enjoyed the extra accountability while maintaining his perfect record at 110.
Jadeja was solid against pace and spin, and he played a chanceless knock. The hometown hero stopped the English charge with batting, acting as though he knew every blade of grass on the field.
India overcame the early deficit and secured a respectable total on what appeared to be a decent batting pitch thanks to the 204-run partnership between Rohit and Jadeja.
Without a doubt, Sarfaraz Khan was the third hero of the day. The opening day for the man from Bollywood was quite dramatic. As Naushad Khan was at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, witnessing his son receive the much-awaited India cap up close, the pictures of him embracing his father went viral.
In the commentary box, Naushad Khan also made his debut, offering a lovely poem in which the proud father expressed his thoughts on his son’s delayed debut in India.
Sarfaraz had to wait longer for his opportunity even after receiving his Test cap because Ravindra Jadeja took full advantage of his promotion. For the paisa-vasool crowd that filled the stadium on a weekday, though, the 26-year-old never looked like he was on his debut as he tore into the England bowling attack in the final session.
The cricket world was in awe of Sarfaraz Khan’s fearlessness and the ease with which he played his shots, leaving supporters to question why the young player was not given the chance to make his Test debut sooner.
But Sarfaraz Khan was run out on 62 after a mix-up with Ravindra Jadeja, who was batting on 99, so the day ended on a bittersweet note. Sarfaraz was run out due to an ill-timed call by Jadeja, which soured the mood in the dressing room and caused captain Rohit Sharma to toss his cap in frustration.
Even Ravindra Jadeja, who scored his fourth Test hundred with a gritty knock that helped set up the game well for India, moderated his celebration after reaching that mark. On Day 2, Jadeja and nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav will take up the Indian innings, followed by R Ashwin and wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, who is also making his debut.