Not panicking in the face of England's aggression and the loss of Ravichandran Ashwin was key to the 434-run victory in Rajkot according to the hosts' skipper
Rajkot (day four of five): India 445 & 430-4d, England 319 & 122 - India won by 434 runs
India's poise as Ravichandran Ashwin was sidelined and England remained aggressive was key to the record 434-run victory in the third Test in Rajkot, according to Rohit Sharma.
The match was in the balance heading into day three with England 207 for 2 and Ashwin having withdrawn due to a medical family emergency.
But the hosts produced an almighty performance over days three and four to surge into a 2-1 series lead. First, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj bowled England out for 319 before Yashasvi Jaiswal powered a second double century in as many Tests to extend the lead.
Ravindra Jadeja then delivered a 13th five-for as the tourists, who were chasing an unlikely 557, were rolled for 122 on the fourth evening.
Jadeja's 13th five-for, following his first-innings century, delivered India an emphatic victory (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
"When you're playing Test cricket, it's not played over two days or three days," the captain said at the post-match presentation. "We do understand the importance of extending the game for five days.
"They played well, to be honest, and played some really good shots. They put us under pressure a little bit there, but look we've got class in our squad when it comes to bowling.
"Obviously, the message was to stay calm because when things like that happen, it's actually easy to drift away from what you want to do as a team.
"But I'm really proud of how we came back the next day, stuck to what we discussed, and when those things happen, it's a delight to watch."
The series now moves to Ranchi where India can wrap up the series (PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images)
The bowling display on the third day laid the platform for victory, India's biggest in Tests in terms of runs, at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. In the absence of Ashwin, who returned for a brief cameo on day four, Jasprit Bumrah, Jadeja, Kuldeep and Siraj helped deliver a 126-run lead which would prove critical.
"Once we won the toss...that was actually a good toss to win because we know in India, how important it is to win the toss and put runs on the board," Rohit added.
"And the lead that we got was very, very crucial for us. And the way we came out and bowled after that onslaught from the English batters was important for us to stay calm.
"The bowlers actually showed a lot of character and not to forget we didn't have our most experienced bowler as well. But for this group to come out and get the job done in that fashion was really, really proud to watch."
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