‌IND vs ENG | Rohit-Jadeja’s gritty tons coupled with Sarfaraz’s assault puts India in strong position 

Brief Scores, Stumps Day 1- India: 326/5 (86) [Rohit Sharma: 131 [(196), Ravindra Jadeja: 110(212), Sarfaraz Khan: 62 (66); Mark Wood: 3/69)]

The first hour of the morning session did not pan out well for the Indian side after Rohit Sharma decided to bat first in Rajkot. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill followed one another back to the hut after edging off Mark Wood. In a space of 19 balls, Rajat Paitdar fell cheaply, courtesy of an early spin introduction with Tom Hartley making it to the wickets column. With the score reading 33/3 after 8.5 overs, Ravindra Jadeja was sent ahead of Sarfaraz Khan to accompany Rohit in tough times. The pair soaked up pressure watchfully with Rohit surpassing the fifty-run mark in 71 balls and ending the first session at 93/3 after 25 overs. 

India touched the 100 runs mark in the first over of the second session with both batters looking strong. Under the baking sun, the pitch got better to bat on for the Indian side and the pair went on to convert their partnership to a bigger one. England tried to regulate their spinners in this phase with short bursts of pace from James Anderson and Wood. Right after the 100-run stand, Jadeja went on to touch the half-century mark and the duo denied the English attack with domination until the stroke of Tea with the score at 185/3. 

At the start of the third session, Rohit (131) reached the century mark with a silent celebration and continued hustling along with Jadeja to build a 204-run partnership before Mark Wood’s barrage of short balls forced the Indian captain into a false stroke in the 64th over. Unbothered by the fall of wicket, Sarfaraz Khan switched gears after a watchful start and extracted runs for fun. While Jadeja played the anchor’s role in the 77 runs partnership, Sarfaraz (62) countered the visitors with such disdain that Jimmy Anderson was forced to call the keeper up to the stumps although the 26-year-old raced to his fifty before falling prey to a tragic run-out. Immediately, Kuldeep Yadav was sent as a nightwatchman and he saw Jadeja register his fourth Test century with India’s tally reading 326/5 at Stumps. 

This video <3

Sarfaraz Khan's debut.#SarfarazKhan #INDvENG #TestCricket #INDvsENGTest pic.twitter.com/lfugXi2W2a

— Thre@ds (@xdailyfactx) February 15, 2024

Not at all!

Rohit sharma was not happy with Jadeja.... #INDvsENGTest #INDvENG #SarfarazKhan pic.twitter.com/IixlTG3e7Q

— SadhuWeatherman (@abhiramsirapar2) February 15, 2024

Well played

Well played #SarfarazKhan. He probably would have scored a hundred on his debut but that unfortunate runout. It was Jadeja's mistake but Wishing to see a century by him in the 2nd Innings. #INDvsENGTest pic.twitter.com/7WvSFushTh

— Mehak Sharma (@mehaksharm18) February 15, 2024

Superb

Moment when sarfaraz khan made 50 in his debut match with 100+ strike rate



Fearless Batting From #SarfarazKhan 🥵🥵🔥🔥🔥 #INDvsENGTestpic.twitter.com/oMRTdiU6yO

— Simran 🇮🇳 (@Simra230) February 15, 2024

It surely does

This picture will surely break your heart 💔 but imagine Pant and Sarfaraz playing together - & you will realise this 💔 is temporary and Joy of having them for longer run is not literally but permanent ! #SarfarazKhan #INDvsENGTest pic.twitter.com/KZSue9t66p

— रोहित जुगलान Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) February 15, 2024

Sword is out!

Jaddu and his Celebration🔥



Despite of Sarfaraz run out you can’t deny the fact that Sir Ravindra Jadeja played a great innings!#INDvsENGTest #SarfarazKhan



pic.twitter.com/JEKAQKaxRg

— Saurabh Singh (@100rabhsingh781) February 15, 2024

Peace

#INDvsENGTest

Jadeja returning back to the Dressing room after the century: pic.twitter.com/kBYOzifoXe

— 🇮🇳 رومانا (@RomanaRaza) February 15, 2024

He made it count!

Nerveless Test debut by Sarfaraz. He has waited for this for long and has made it count. He will be tested against pace, but he has shown how to dominate spin #INDvsENGTest

— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) February 15, 2024

True

Sarfaraz Khan was definitely pushed under the truck. No way was it his fault - and he may have missed a 100 on Test debut #INDvsENGTest

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) February 15, 2024

Correct

Rohit Sharma represent whole nation reaction😱



Sarfaraz was going to hit Century on his debut! Ravindra Jadeja great knock continues!#SarfarazKhan

#INDvsENGTest pic.twitter.com/1f8SWcoLpf

— Saurabh Singh (@100rabhsingh781) February 15, 2024