At the end of Day 3’s play, the third Test in Rajkot was delicately poised between the two teams. Opener Ben Duckett’s attacking approach had pushed India on the back foot. But Joe Root played a shot that became a hot topic of debate on whether he should follow ‘Bazball’ or revert to the old ways of playing Test cricket. Root played an audacious reverse-scoop against his nemesis Jasprit Bumrah but ended up getting caught by slip fielder Yashasvi Jaiswal. While Duckett defended his teammate’s shot selection, Mohammed Siraj said that he threw away a chance to put pressure on the hosts.
"Ben Duckett's partnership was growing with Root, if he had played a little more, then it would have been difficult for us. But suddenly he played that shot which didn't look (like one) to be played," Siraj told the reporters after the day's play.
"But it turned out good for us and after that (Ben) Foakes and Ben Stokes had a good partnership, and then Stokes played a shot (which got him out) and we got into the game from there," he added.
Root’s rough patch in the series continued as he departed after scoring just 18 runs. The former England skipper has yet to score a half-century in the ongoing Test series.
England suffer batting collapse
After Root's wicket, Jonny Bairstow got lbw for a four-ball duck to Kuldeep Yadav. Duckett fell to Kuldeep as well after scoring 153. The partnership between skipper Ben Stokes and wicketkeeper-batter Ben Foakes showed some promise but in the second session, England suffered a batting collapse losing five wickets for just 20 runs. Siraj took three wickets in the second session as England were bowled out for 319.
Siraj lauds Jaiswal
India got a 126-run first innings lead. Then Jaiswal’s second century of the series coupled with Shubman Gill’s unbeaten half-century helped India post 196/2 on the board at the end of the day’s play. Siraj lauded Jaiswal and revealed the team’s message to him.
"The way he is batting, his confidence is very high. He is not looking behind and is totally focused on what lies ahead and he is carrying on with that confidence. The message from the team is that he should continue the way he has been doing,” the 29-year-old said.
Jaiswal was retired hurt toward the end of the third session. He got treatment from physio twice after suffering from back spasms but had to eventually return to the dressing room.
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