IND vs ENG, 3rd Test, Day 1: Rohit-Jadeja Tons, Sarfaraz’s Fiery Fifty Propel India to 326/5 at Stumps

Rajkot: Captain Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja conjured a magnificent 204-run stand to rescue India from a precarious start and propel them to a commanding 326 for 5 on the opening day of the third Test against England on Thursday.

England pacer Mark Wood struck early, dismissing openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill cheaply before left-arm spinner Tom Hartley sent back Rajat Patidar to leave India tottering at 33/3. But the resolute skipper Sharma, dropped on 27 by Joe Root, staged a stirring comeback, grinding out a patient 131 (196) with 14 fours and 3 sixes – his first Test century in 11 innings.

Promoted up the order at No. 5, the ever-reliable Jadeja played the perfect foil, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 110 (212) with 9 fours and 2 sixes. The duo stitched together a match-defining partnership, weathering the English bowling attack and rebuilding the Indian innings brick by brick.

After Rohit’s dismissal, debutant Sarfaraz Khan provided a further spark, smashing the fastest fifty on Test debut by an Indian (off 48 balls) before an unfortunate run-out ended his promising knock at 62. Nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav held his ground at the close, unbeaten on 1.

With the series poised at 1-1, India’s commanding total puts them in a strong position to take control of the crucial third Test.

Brief Scores: India 326/5 from 86 overs (Rohit Sharma 131, Ravindra Jadeja 110*, Sarfaraz Khan 62; Mark Wood 3/69).