Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan put on brilliant performances as Team India declared the second innings with 430/4 in 98 overs on the board on Day 4 of the ongoing third Test against Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Sunday, February 18.
With a second innings declaration, India had a 556-run lead and set a target of 557 for England to chase. Earlier, the visitors were bundled out for 319 and handed over a 126-run lead, which the hosts added 430 runs to it.
India resumed their batting after posting 314/4 in 82 overs in the first session. In the second session, Yashasvi and Sarfaraz launched an assault on England's bowling attack as the duo cruised India's ship before skipper Rohit Sharma signals the declaration of the innings.
Yashasvi Jaiswal unleashed his firepower as he smashed three consecutive sixes off veteran England pacer James Anderson in the 85th over to take take India past the 350-run mark in the second innings. Jaiswal shifted his gears before slowing a bit to complete 200.
Jaiswal was on 199 when he hit the full toss off Joe Root's delivery to the outside off to record a second double century of his Test career. The 22-year-old completed his double ton in 230 balls after slamming his third century in 122 balls.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's brilliant unbeaten innings of 214 off 236 balls consisted of 14 fours and 12 sixes and batted with a strike of 90.68. Jaiswal registered two consecutive double centuries in the ongoing Test series against England. Earlier, the youngster played a brilliant knock of 209 off 290 balls in India's 106-run win in Vishakhapatnam.
After scoring second double century on the trot, Yashasvi Jaiswal became the second Indian player after former cricketer Vinod Kambli and ex Indian captain Virat Kohli to achieve this historic feat in Test Cricket.
Sarfaraz Khan impresses on his Test debut
Sarfaraz Khan had a brilliant start to his Test debut as he slammed second consecutive fifty in the Rajkot Test. In the first innings, the 26-year-old played a brilliant knock of 62 off 66 balls before unfortunate run out due to mix up with Ravindra Jadeja.
In his debut Test innings, Sarfaraz equalled all-rounder Hardik Pandya's Indian record of fastest fifty on Test debut. He brought up his maiden Test century in just 48 balls, marking his arrival on international stage.
In the second innings, Sarfaraz Khan continued to put on a good show with the bat as he scored second fifty on the trot in his debut Test match. Just like, Sarfaraz displayed his confidence and took England bowlers to the cleaners in the second session.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan formed an unbeaten 172-run partnership for the fourth wicket to take lead past 550-run mark before Rohit Sharma called for the declaration of the second innings.
