Rohit Sharma broke his series of low scores with a crucial half-century on Day 1 in Rajkot, rescuing India during a challenging opening session. Facing the pressure of losing three early wickets—Jaiswal (10), Shubman Gill (0), and Rajat Patidar (5)—Rohit’s timely fifty provided much-needed stability. Mark Wood posed a threat to the Indian top-order, dismissing the centurions from the Vizag Test, Jaiswal and Gill, while spinner Tom Hartley claimed Patidar in his first over.
In a surprising move, the team management promoted Ravindra Jadeja over Sarfaraz Khan, making his Test debut. Jadeja, returning after missing the second Test due to a hamstring injury, supported Rohit effectively, ending the first session unbeaten on 17. He replaced Axar Patel in the XI.
The match holds significant milestones, with Ravichandran Ashwin just one wicket away from reaching 500 Test wickets. England’s captain, Ben Stokes, marks his 100th Test in a career that started in 2013. Stokes, a key figure in England’s Test cricket evolution, hopes to celebrate this landmark game with a remarkable performance. Additionally, James Anderson eyes a milestone of 700 Test wickets, needing five more to achieve this feat.
Jasprit Bumrah and the returning Mohammed Siraj share the new ball for India, while Jadeja’s comeback sees Axar Patel sidelined. Dhruv Jurel gets an opportunity following KS Bharat’s batting struggles, and the youngster aims to make the most of the chance in Rajkot. The match not only promises cricketing action but also sets the stage for players to etch their names in the record books, adding an extra layer of anticipation to the already gripping contest.
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