Rohit Sharma’s Bold Strategy in Rajkot Test Marks Landmark Moment in the ‘Bazball Era’

The Bazball era began in May 2022, when Brendon McCullum was named England's Test squad coach. In terms of the game, India were on 430 for 4 with a 556-run lead when captain Rohit Sharma decided to declare and ask England to bat.

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IND VS ENG: Yashasvi Jaiswal scored an unbeaten double century to lead India to their biggest-ever win on Sunday, thrashing England by 434 runs in the third Test to grab a 2-1 series lead. In Rajkot, Rohit Sharma became the first captain and India the first team in the ‘Bazball era’ to declare their innings against England. The Bazball era began in May 2022, when Brendon McCullum became England’s Test team coach. In terms of the game, India were steady at 430 for 4 with a 556-run advantage when captain Rohit Sharma opted to declare and ask England to bat.

Chasing 557 for win, England’s batting collapsed like a pack of cards, losing eight wickets in the closing session and being bowled for 122 on Day 4 at Rajkot.

Ravindra Jadeja bowled Mark Wood for 33 as the final wicket — and fifth of his career — and kissed the pitch as India recorded their largest run victory.

It was England’s second-worst Test defeat since a 562-run loss to Australia in 1934.

England lost their openers, including first-innings centurion Ben Duckett, who was run out for four, before Tea and Jadeja shook the middle order with their left-arm spin.

Jadeja was chosen player of the match after taking seven wickets in the Test and 112 with the bat in the first innings.

The 22-year-old Jaiswal, who scored a match-winning 209 in the second Test, remains the series’ highest batsman with 545 runs.

Indian bowlers secured victory by bowling England out for 319 in the first innings, after the tourists’ batting collapsed from 299 for 5 despite the absence of ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Saturday.

Ashwin, who left the Test midway through day two due to a family issue hours after claiming his 500th Test wicket, returned to the pitch and took his 501st wicket on day four.

Ashwin, 37, became only the ninth bowler in Test history and the second Indian to reach 500 wickets, behind fellow spinner Anil Kumble (619).

Skipper Rohit Sharma’s 131 and 204-run partnership with left-handed Jadeja helped India reach 445 in the first innings after electing to bat.

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