The third Test between India and England is currently being staged at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. Winning the toss and opting to open the face of the blade first, the hosts found themselves in troubled waters after they were reduced to 33 for the loss of 3 wickets. Nevertheless, the likes of Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja changed the complexion of the game, courtesy of their 204-run partnership.
Rohit top-scored with 131 whereas Jadeja scored 112. Sarfaraz Khan looked pretty good on his Test debut as he scored his maiden Test fifty (62) before he was dismissed due to an unfortunate run-out. Meanwhile, on Day 2 of the Rajkot Test, Ravichandran Ashwin made the headlines after he ran on the protected area of the pitch. According to the laws of the game, a batsman is not allowed to run down in the middle of the pitch.
India gets five runs as a penalty after Ravi Ashwin runs on the protected area of the pitch
For the record, Ravindra Jadeja ran on the protected area just before the 80th over and so the team received a warning from the umpire. Meanwhile, Ravi Ashwin who defended the ball off Rehan Ahmed’s delivery ran down the track in the middle and then went back to the crease. If the batters do this, then the pitch tends to roughen up, making it conducive for the spinners.
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The on-field umpire, Joel Wilson slapped the team five runs as a penalty after Ravi Ashwin’s act, which was the second instance the team was spotted running on the central portion of the pitch. As a result, England will start their innings at 5/0 without facing a delivery. Talking about India, they ensured to pile up as many runs as possible from the lower order. The hosts were bowled out for a humongous total of 445.
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Ravi Ashwin scored 37 whereas Dhruv Jurel looked pretty good on his debut as he scored a vital 46. Jasprit Bumrah also ensured to add some flesh to the scoreboard as he scored 26 runs. The visitors have a mountain to climb in the first innings and they will have to bat incredibly well to keep up with the pace of the hosts.