Rohit Sharma-led India clinched a very famous victory yesterday on day 4 of the 3rd Test against England, a match that will forever be embedded in the minds of Indian cricket fans as it was India’s biggest-ever win in a Test match by 434 runs. This Test match which took place at the Niranjan Shah stadium in Rajkot had many moments as well as turning points and Indian players like Dhruv Jurel, Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and batting coach Vikram Rathour explained their respective perspectives on the same.
In the video that was uploaded on the official website of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) earlier today, the Indian players can be seen filled up with joy and express their feelings on how the victory in Rajkot tasted like. Of course, it was sweet but it had its bitterness as well.
The Indians started off the Test match on not such a high note as they were reduced to 3 wickets for just 33 runs on the first morning. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rajat Patidar all faltered against Mark Wood and Tom Hartley and it was starting to look as if things were going to take an unexpected turn in favor of the English contingent.
However, it was Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja who led from the front, taking India from 33 to 237 before the Indian skipper walked off for 131 and the latter departed after 112-run innings at his home ground, ensuring the hosts posted something over 400 before England got bowled out for 319.
Then in the 3rd innings, it was a masterclass from the bats of Yashasvi Jaiswal who scored his second double hundred, Shubman Gill whose 91-run effort also counted while Sarfaraz Khan provided the finishing touches with his 68 at a strike rate of 94.
So there were evidently many turning points in the game and this is what the Indian players and coaching staff had to say.
“Played in India, won a Test match, defeated England. So I’m feeling very good and the turning point was obviously Yashasvi Jaiswal’s double hundred and its exceptional the way he has batted throughout the series, so I think that was the turning point.” – Dhruv Jurel told BCCI.tv
“I thought the partnership between Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja in the 1st innings. After 33/3 we were in a tricky situation but the way those two responded, senio pros of the team, I think that was great to see.” – Vikram Rathour said.
“If I had to pick a certain session then definitely on day 3, how we cameback with the ball, that session that 1 hour was the turning point for us.” – said Shubman Gill.
“Very hard to just name a few moments”, Rohit Sharma on India’s 434-run victory
Then finally it was the turn of India captain Rohit Sharma, who in his own style stated that it was hard to choose a particular moment of the match, claiming that it was a collective effort.
“Like I said, very hard to just name very few moments where went through the line but I think it was an overall effort, the last 4 days we played were superb.” – Rohit concluded.