India set a formidable first innings total of 445 on Day 2 of the third Test against England on February 16, Friday. However, by the close of the Day 2, England were placed strong at 207/2, trailing by 238 runs, thanks to Ben Duckett's brilliant century. Ben Duckett was in outstanding form, notching an unbeaten 133, while Ollie Pope added 39 runs before being taken out by Mohammed Siraj. Key Indian bowlers, R. Ashwin and Mohammed Siraj, each secured a wicket. The match remains evenly balanced, with India determined to clinch victory, but England poised to challenge the hosts vigorously on their own ground.
Rohit Sharma Teases Ravindra Jadeja with IPL Quip After No-Ball drama
During England's innings, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma lightheartedly mocked Ravindra Jadeja following his delivery of two no-balls. Jadeja, who was introduced into the attack later, didn’t have his best day, conceding 33 runs across his four overs.
The amusing incident occurred in the 31st over when Jadeja delivered two no-balls while bowling to Joe Root. Sharma humorously remarked that Jadeja usually doesn't bowl so many no-balls in the IPL, lightening the mood.
To motivate Jadeja, the Indian captain suggested he approach his bowling as if he were playing in a T20 match. During the moment, Rohit Sharma advised Jadeja by saying,"Yaar, ye Jadeja IPL mein to itne No Balls nahi dalta. T20 samajh ke bowling kar, Jaddu. (Man, Jadeja doesn't bowl this many No Balls in IPL. Think it's a T20 game and bowl)".
Rough day for Jadeja
Day 2 in Rajkot was challenging for Jadeja, who faced difficulties with both his batting and bowling efforts. After ending Day 1 on a high with an unbeaten 110 runs, his momentum waned the following day. Regrettably, Jadeja could only manage to add two more runs to his score before being dismissed in a rather subdued manner, offering Joe Root an easy catch. Despite this setback, India took comfort in the commendable partnership between Dhruv Jurel and R Ashwin, who put together 77 runs, propelling the team's total past the 400-run mark. Jasprit Bumrah's explosive batting towards the innings' close further elevated India's score to 445 runs.
England, propelled by Ben Duckett's exceptional innings, made an impressive start. Duckett set a record as the quickest English batsman to score a century against India, achieving this feat in merely 88 deliveries. During the innings, captain Rohit Sharma called upon Jadeja to bowl in the 24th over. Jadeja faced a tough challenge from Duckett and Ollie Pope, who aggressively targeted his bowling. Despite a promising start with just one run conceded in his initial over, Jadeja found it tough in his next two overs, surrendering 21 runs in total. His last over of the day proved particularly difficult, as he bowled two no-balls and conceded 11 runs, including a massive six from Duckett off a reverse sweep.
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