India v England: Ben Stokes' side overwhelmed as hosts take 2-1 series lead

On a day when records tumbled in Rajkot, the tourists were subject to their worst Test defeat in terms of runs for 90 years with Rohit Sharma's side having turned the series around with two matches to play

Nick Howson | 18/02/2024 at 11:24

Rajkot (day four of five): India 445 & 430-4d, England 319 & 122 - India won by 434 runs

India produced a devastating display to inflict upon England their second-heaviest Test defeat and worst away from home in terms of runs and take a 2-1 series lead in Rajkot.

Ben Stokes' side slumped to their most desperate loss during his tenure, by 434 runs and only once, against Australia at the Kia Oval in November 1934, have England lost by a bigger margin.

Contrastingly, India claimed their biggest Test victory - surpassing the 372-run success over New Zealand in December 2021 - as they blitzed the tourists with a day to spare.

Set an unlikely 557 to win, following a second double century in as many Tests for Yashasvi Jaiswal (214 not out) Ravindra Jadeja led the way with 5 for 41 as England were dismissed for 122 - their seventh-lowest total against India.

2⃣0⃣0⃣ 🏏

Yashasvi Jaiswal. Remember the name.#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/7ciCPqcWtP
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) February 18, 2024

Stokes' side must now win in Ranchi (February 23-27) and Dharamsala (March 7-11) if they are to end India's unbeaten home record dating back to 2012/13.

Indeed, their own run without a series defeat under the Brendon McCullum-Stokes axis is now under serious threat.

After a dominant third day, all eyes were on India and the timing of Rohit Sharma's declaration, with a 322-run lead already in the bank.

But the hosts had no intention of calling time on their second innings prematurely, instead embarking on a brutal assault on England's bowling attack.

Jaiswal returned having retired hurt on 104 the previous day to smack a second double century in as many Tests.

His knock included a record-equalling 12 sixes - three in a row coming off James Anderson - as the left-handed opener offered another timely reminder of his undoubted talent.

Ben Duckett runs himself out... this is a horrible mix-up 😳#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/2DpIb8Ii2w
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) February 18, 2024

Debutant Sarfaraz Khan backed up his first-innings half-century with another in the second as he and Jaiswal put on 172 for the fifth wicket.

Rohit called time on the entertainment 40 minutes before tea to set England 557 for an unlikely victory, and leave them needing to bat out more than four sessions to keep the series locked at 1-1.

Any hope England could take the game into a fifth day, let alone salvage a result, were obliterated either side of the interval when they lost four wickets inside the first 11.1 overs.

Ben Duckett (11) was run out, Zak Crawley (11) was trapped lbw by Jasprit Bumrah, Ollie Pope (3) became Jadeja's first victim after a smart catch from Rohit Sharma and Jonny Bairstow (4) was struck in line by the left-armer.

21st over: Joe Root 🚫
22nd over: Ben Stokes 🚫

England aren't having a good time with DRS today...#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/o8LXywr25a
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) February 18, 2024

Joe Root (7) and Stokes (15) soaked up more than 10 overs of pressure but both fell in quick succession as Jadeja collected his third and Kuldeep Yadav picked up the England captain.

Rehan Ahmed (0) departed to leave England seven down with just 50 on the board. Ben Foakes and Tom Hartley rallied with a 32-run partnership but India, eager to secure victory before the close, were not to be denied. Ravichandran Ashwin, having rejoined after his withdrawal for family reasons following day two, bowled the latter to claim his 501st Test wicket.

Mark Wood's late fireworks and DRS overturning umpire Joel Wilson delayed the inevitable but Jadeja completed a 13th five-wicket haul thanks to the safe hands of Jaiswal to confirm India's dominance.

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