IND vs ENG 3rd Test: Sarfaraz impresses as Rohit, Jadeja lead India's recovery on Day 1

Team India fought off early top-order struggles to post 326/5 on Day 1 of the third Test against England in Rajkot on Thursday. After having won the toss and opted to bat, India failed to have the best of starts as Yashasvi Jaiswal (10), Shubman Gill (0) and Rajat Patidar (5) were dismissed to leave the hosts in a spot of bother at 33/3. However, skipper Rohit Sharma led from the front with a knock of 131 and Ravindra Jadeja (110 not out) too scored an unbeaten century, with the duo putting up a partnership of 204 for the fourth wicket.

For Rohit, this was a knock that the India skipper himself needed following a string of disappointing performances in recent Test matches. Rohit got to to his half-century in 71 deliveries, and converted that into a big knock with a few composed shots.

Rohit, however, fell to Mark Wood’s short ball while looking to play it across the line. The India skipper’s top edge fell straight to Ben Stokes at mid-wicket.

Apart from Rohit and Jadeja, debutant Sarfaraz Khan also impressed for the hosts. Sarfaraz was one of the two India debutants in Rajkot with the other player being Dhruv Jurel. Sarfaraz came into bat following Rohit’s dismissal that left India at 237/4, and played a few confident sweep and lofted shots. The 26-year-old got to his fifty in 48 balls, scoring seven fours and a six. However, Sarfaraz was involved in a mix up with Ravindra Jadeja that resulted in the former’s run-out. Sarfaraz and Jadeja were involved in a 77-run stand for the fifth wicket.

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