Rajkot Test: Ruthless India hand England their biggest humbling in Bazball era to take 2-1 series lead

India bowlers were surprised at the ease with which they were able to get wickets.

The England dressing room, for the first time in the series, looked distraught and the travelling fans had a sense of shock on their faces. The English faces at the Niranjan Shah Stadium told the story. The concern was certainly not fearing a loss in Rajkot, but because of how the hopes of a rare series win in India and the Bazball belief were going up in smokes. Head coach Brendon McCullum, one of the two architects of the much-talked-about fearless approach, lacked the confident aura that he exudes as the television cameras zoomed into his face whenever an England batter was dismissed on Sunday.

England fell 107 runs short of their 399-run target in the 2nd Test in Visakhapatnam, but they at least gave it a go. Incidentally, fast bowler James Anderson said on the eve of the final day’s play in Vizag that coach McCullum had motivated the group by saying they are capable of even chasing 600. It’s that belief that has helped England transform into a winning machine since Stokes and McCullum took over the leadership group, inspiring them to some incredible victories, including the one in the series opener in Hyderabad against India. | Rajkot Test, Day 4 Highlights |

However, it was a reality check for England’s Bazball as the tourists were bundled out for just 122 in 39.4 overs in their final innings, losing the Rajkot Test by 434 runs. England looked clueless as Indian spinners, led by hometown hero Ravindra Jadeja, ran riot in the final session of the 3rd Test. The fearlessness was absent as England batters looked clueless after they were set a daunting target of 557 on Sunday.

SHOCKING SURRENDER IN RAJKOT

Yes, England have lost under the Bazball era 5 times in the past, but never did they look this hopeless with the bat. It was England’s second-biggest defeat in Test cricket history by margin of runs, the biggest since 1934 against Australia in London (534 runs). It was also India’s biggest win in terms of the margin of runs.

It seemed as if England had no plan to go about their final innings after they were set the Himalayan target. Neither did the batters look to put pressure on the Indian bowlers, nor did they show conviction in defence as the Indian bowling attack flaunted its firepower at home, getting the job done in little over a session. Yes, No. 10 Mark Wood was the most impressive with the bat as he delayed the inevitable with a quickfire 33.

Ravindra Jadeja, who hit a hundred in the first innings, enjoyed bowling in front of his home crowd on Sunday as he finished with his 13th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

UNDER-STRENGTH? NO PROBLEM!
Shopping

India were dealing with injury blows and player availability concerns in the lead-up to the first third Test. While Virat Kohli withdrew from the remainder of the series after missing the first two Tests, KL Rahul was not ready to take the field after failing to recover completely. Also, India were without their veteran off-spinner R Ashwin on Day 3 as he had flown back home due to a family medical emergency.

India did not get bogged down by the hurdles, but they thrived under pressure. From 33 for 3 in the first innings, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja hit hundreds as the two senior batters put their hand up and took the onus of scoring big on their shoulders.

Debutant Sarfaraz Khan was a whiff of fresh air as he brought back memories of the era in which India’s top-order treated overseas spinners with disdain at home, hitting an impressive 62.

India’s Test side has punched above its weight quite a few times in the past and the Rajkot Test was not an exception as Mohammed Siraj stepped up in the absence of R Ashwin in the first innings with the ball, picking up 4 wickets and helping India seal a 126-run first innings lead. Kuldeep Yadav looked threatening as he made the most of the opportunity in the XI after he replaced Axar Patel.

England were looking good to make a Bazball punch in the first innings as Ben Duckett played a sensational knock, hitting 153 in the first innings. However, Duckett lacked the support he deserved as big guns failed to step up. Joe Root’s horror run continued as he fell while playing a reverse scoop, one of his most productive shots in the Bazball era in the first innings.

England lost their last 8 wickets for 95 runs in the first innings, failing to apply themselves and blowing up an opportunity to get closer to India’s first innings total, if not take a lead on a good batting pitch.

India, on the other hand, were ruthless in the second innings as Yashasvi Jaiswal (214 not out), Shuman Gill (91) and Sarfaraz Khan (68 not out) made sure India built on their first-innings advantage and batted England out of the contest.

The fourth Test will get underway from February 23 in Ranchi and it will be a huge test of character for the England side.