After India's 434-run victory against England in Rajkot on Day 4 of the third Test, the team's largest in terms of runs, skipper Rohit Sharma spoke about the most important takeaway: youth delivering when it mattered.
“Many congratulations to the young boys who have demonstrated character, showed that they belong at this level, and expressed a desire to fit in. Bench strength is something we discuss and have seen in this series. With two Test matches remaining, the squad seized a 2-1 lead in the series. It's a good feeling to win a game after being down 33 for 3 in the first innings," Rohit said in the post-match presentation.
For India, the young players' performances boded well for the Test team's future.
Yashasvi & Sarfaraz shine as the brightest future stars
The 22-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal became the third youngest player to hit two double hundreds (the youngest being Vinod Kambli, and the second youngest being Don Bradman).
On the other hand, 26-year-old Sarfaraz Khan capitalised on his Test debut with two half-centuries after years of first-class cricket, and Shubman Gill, who began the series under pressure, turned his fortunes around with a century in the last Test and a 91 in the second innings of this Test.
Things had appeared bleak for the hosts at 33 for 3, on a flat pitch on the first day. However, the seniors came to the rescue as Rohit and Jadeja scored hundreds in a 204-run partnership. Even then, India's situation was uncertain, but Sarfaraz hammered a 66-ball 62 to increase India's hold and demonstrate how to effectively face England's spinners on this ground.
Jaiswal, taking a lesson from his first double-century, walloped the bowlers in the second innings to propel India to an unassailable lead. Jaiswal and Sarfaraz, who are young, have given three of the series' more encouraging knocks of intent, which speaks much.
As the series continued, there was concern that India would be eliminated owing to a lack of experience among players, but the fact that youngsters were rising to the occasion cheered up the team management. Especially when Shreyas Iyer was dropped and Axar Patel struggled with the ball.
Dramatic Rajkot test
The Indian celebrations were somewhat subdued following the victory: handshakes and a brief pat on each other's backs as they filed into the changing room. Raising his arms in the air, Ravindra Jadeja celebrated his performance and the victory as the last wicket fell. With a game-changing hundred in the opening over and a five-for in the second, England was bowled out in under forty overs.
There were a few dramatic moments in the match, starting with India falling to 33 for 3 on the first morning of play and ending with R Ashwin having to quit the match in the middle of the second day due to a family emergency on the evening of Day 2, after attaining the incredible milestone of 500 Test wickets. He returned to the team on Sunday morning; "it shows his character to put the team ahead," Rohit stated.
India's all-around performance ultimately won out, while England—despite their private admissions to the contrary—needs to reflect on their actions.
Image Source: X(Twitter)/BCCI
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