India was hosting their 2nd Day/Night Test match in the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, with the first being held in Eden Gardens, Kolkata. This was Team India’s third Day/Night test match overall.
Everybody wanted to see an even contest in the world’s largest cricket stadium. But it was far from that. It was advantage India from Day 1 as local boy Axar Patel took a 6-wicket haul in the first innings.
England was all out for 112 on the first day, and India was 99-3 at stumps on Day 1. As Day 2 started today, everyone hoped India would to take a big lead, but they were bowled out for 145, with Rohit Sharma being the highest scorer with 66 runs.
As India put England to bat for their second innings, India’s spinners were even better than the first innings as Axar Patel took another 5-wicket haul and Ashwin took 4 wickets to make it his 400 test wicket. England was bowled out for 81, and India was set a target of 49.
Rohit Sharma and Subhman Gill opened the second innings for India and saw it through to victory. Rohit Sharma was the aggressor between the two as he hit 3 fours before hitting a 6 off Joe Root to take India’s second innings score to 49-0.
Surprisingly, the third test ended within 2 days, with India dominating with the ball right from Day 1. Axar Patel took 11 wickets in the whole match, and Ashwin was also exceptional as he now has 400 test wickets in his name. This was also Ishant Sharma’s 100th test match, so this victory is also important to him.
This was the first match to be played in the Narendra Modi Stadium, and it will be a memorable one. India now takes a 2-1 lead in the series and make sure not to lose the series even if not winning it.
India now has a very good chance of making it to the ICC World Test Championship final. New Zealand has already qualified, so India just needs to avoid defeat in the fourth test, or else Australia will qualify. The fourth Test match will begin on 4th March in this same stadium, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. This will be a traditional test match and will start at 9:30 am IST.
