IND vs ENG 3rd Test: Ben Duckett leads England's fightback with 88-ball century on Day 2 in Rajkot

England fought back on Day 2 of the third Test against India in Rajkot on Friday to make it an evenly contested affair. At stumps on the second day, England were 207/2, trailing India by 238 runs. India resumed from their overnight total of 326/5, and although the hosts lost Ravindra Jadeja early in the day, Dhruv Jurel would go onto post 46 off 104 deliveries, including two fours and three sixes.

Jurel was involved in a 77-run stand with Ravichandran Ashwin for the eighth wicket before the all-rounder departed for 37 in the 120th over. Jurel, however, could not follow in Sarfaraz Khan’s footsteps, as his top edge off Rehan Ahmed was taken by wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.

India were 415/9 once Jurel was dismissed but Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj’s 30-run stand helped India post 445 on the board.

In their first innings reply, England began positively with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett forging 89 runs for the first wicket before the former was dismissed. While it wasn’t Crawley’s day, Duckett registered his third Test century, playing a few aggressive strokes along the way, including a slog sweep against Ashwin that went for six in the 22nd over. Duckett got to his century in 88 deliveries, which also was the second fastest by an England opener in Tests.

Duckett forged a 93-run stand with Ollie Pope for the second wicket, before the latter was struck LBW off Mohammed Siraj’s delivery in the 30th over.

Earlier in England’s innings, Ravichandran Ashwin had become the ninth bowler to get to 500 Test wickets when he removed Crawley in the 14^th over. Ashwin also became just the second Indian, after Anil Kumble to achieve the milestone.

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