Duckett’s Blazing Century: The third Test match between India and England in Rajkot proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring scintillating performances, records broken, and unexpected twists. Day two was particularly eventful, with Ben Duckett stealing the spotlight with a blazing century, while Ravichandran Ashwin reached the prestigious 500-wicket club in Tests, only to withdraw later due to a family medical emergency.
Duckett’s Blazing Century and Ashwin’s Milestone Amidst Drama: India vs England, Third Test Day Two Recap
Duckett’s Dominance:
The second day of the third Test in Rajkot unfolded with England poised to respond to India’s formidable total of 445. However, their innings kickstarted at an advantageous 5-0, courtesy of a five-run penalty imposed on the hosts. This penalty arose from a contentious incident during the first session when Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s star all-rounder, ran on the protected area of the pitch.
Despite the early advantage, the spotlight of the day undeniably belonged to Ben Duckett. The English batsman delivered a masterclass, showcasing a dazzling innings that left the cricketing world in awe. Duckett’s 88-ball century was not just exceptional; it was record-breaking. With an unbeaten 133, he etched his name in the annals of cricket history as the fastest Englishman to score a Test century in India. This breathtaking performance guided England to a formidable 207-2 at stumps, a testament to Duckett’s aggressive yet composed batting style. His innings not only lifted England’s spirits but also underscored the tourists’ positive approach, despite trailing India by 238 runs.
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India’s Lower-Order Resistance:
In the same breath, the day showcased India’s resilience, particularly through their lower order. Earlier in the day, India added a significant 119 runs to their overnight score of 326-5. The lower-order heroes, debutant Dhruv Jurel (46) and the seasoned Ravichandran Ashwin (37), formed a partnership that went beyond mere runs on the scoreboard. Their 77-run stand for the eighth wicket not only displayed the depth of India’s batting lineup but also added crucial runs that bolstered their total. This lower-order resistance became a pivotal factor in determining the dynamics of the match.
Ashwin’s Historic Milestone:
The narrative of the day took an intriguing turn with Ravichandran Ashwin at the center of attention. His day can be aptly described as a tale of two halves. Initially contributing with the bat during the first session, Ashwin’s running on the protected area of the pitch stirred controversy, resulting in the aforementioned five-run penalty against India.
However, Ashwin swiftly shifted gears and etched his name in the record books with the ball. In a historic achievement, he became the second-fastest bowler to reach the remarkable milestone of 500 Test wickets. This momentous feat was realized when he dismissed Zak Crawley (15), breaking England’s 84-run opening stand. Unfortunately, amidst the triumph, a somber note ensued. The 37-year-old spinner made the tough decision to withdraw from the rest of the Test after the day’s play, citing a family medical emergency. This unexpected turn of events added a layer of complexity to an already riveting day of cricket.
FAQ’s on Highlights :
- Why did India receive a five-run penalty in the third Test against England?
- India incurred a five-run penalty when Ravichandran Ashwin ran on the protected area of the pitch during the first session.
- How did England start their first innings in response to India’s total?
- England began their first innings at 5-0 after the hosts received a five-run penalty.
- Who played a crucial role in India’s lower-order resistance on day two of the third Test?
- Debutant Dhruv Jurel (46) and Ravichandran Ashwin (37) formed a resilient lower-order partnership for India.
- What was Ben Duckett’s contribution to England’s innings on day two?
- Ben Duckett played a scintillating innings, smashing a remarkable 88-ball century and finishing the day unbeaten on 133.
- What record did Ben Duckett achieve during his innings in the third Test against India?
- Ben Duckett set the record for the fastest Test century by an Englishman in India.
- How did Ashwin reach a historic milestone during the match?
- Ravichandran Ashwin became the second-fastest bowler to reach the 500-wicket mark in Tests during the third Test against England.
- Who did Ashwin dismiss to achieve his historic milestone?
- Ashwin dismissed Zak Crawley (15) to reach the 500-wicket mark in Tests.
- Why did Ravichandran Ashwin withdraw from the rest of the Test after day two?
- Ashwin withdrew from the rest of the Test due to a family medical emergency.
- What was the state of the match at the end of day two, in terms of the score?
- At the end of day two, England reached 207-2 in reply to India’s 445, trailing the hosts by 238 runs.
- Who led the England bowling attack on day two?
- James Anderson and Joe Root were among the key bowlers for England on day two.
- How did Ravindra Jadeja get dismissed during India’s innings on day two?
- Ravindra Jadeja was dismissed by Joe Root after scoring 112 runs.
- Why did India face a five-run penalty, and how did it impact the match?
- India faced a five-run penalty due to Ravichandran Ashwin running on the protected area of the pitch. It affected India’s total score in the first innings.
- What was the score of India at the end of the first innings in the third Test?
- India posted a total of 445 runs at the end of their first innings in the third Test against England.
- Who set the record for the fastest Test century by an Englishman in India before Ben Duckett?
- The record for the fastest Test century by an Englishman in India was set by Moeen Ali before Ben Duckett.
- How did Ben Duckett’s century impact England’s position in the match?
- Ben Duckett’s century played a crucial role in steering England to a strong position, with the team reaching 207-2 at stumps on day two.
- What was the opening partnership for England in the third Test, and how did it end?
- England’s opening partnership was 84 runs, and it was broken when Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Zak Crawley.
- Why was there controversy surrounding Ashwin’s running during the match?
- Ashwin’s running during the match led to controversy as he ran on the protected area of the pitch, resulting in a five-run penalty for India.
- What was the partnership between Dhruv Jurel and Ravichandran Ashwin in India’s first innings?
- Dhruv Jurel and Ravichandran Ashwin formed a crucial 77-run partnership for the eighth wicket in India’s first innings.
- Who led the India bowling attack on day two?
- Ravichandran Ashwin played a key role in the Indian bowling attack on day two, contributing both with bat and ball.
- What statement did the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) release regarding Ashwin’s withdrawal from the Test?
- The BCCI stated, “In these challenging times, the BCCI and the team fully supports Ashwin” following his withdrawal from the rest of the Test due to a family medical emergency.
Conclusion: Duckett’s Blazing Century
Day two of the India vs England third Test in Rajkot was an emotional rollercoaster, marked by outstanding performances from Ben Duckett, lower-order resistance from India, and Ravichandran Ashwin’s historic achievement. The unexpected turn of events with Ashwin’s withdrawal due to a family medical emergency adds a somber note to the cricketing drama. As the Test continues, cricket fans eagerly await to see how both teams navigate the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead in this gripping contest.
