Rohit, Jadeja save the day for India

Rajkot: In their pursuit of challenging themselves, India may have gone too far. Well, they got away with it for the day so it could be forgiven, but it’s not a position they would like to repeat. That’s for sure.

On a pitch which played as true as a concrete slab under rain, India lost three wickets inside 10 overs, and each of those dismissals was because three of the top four couldn’t keep their hands to themselves.

They poked, prodded and checked to leave India at 33/3 in 8.5 overs at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Thursday.

Those found guilty of this circumstance were Yashavi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Rajat Patidar.

Had the rest of the day transpired any different, the trio may have felt deeper pangs of disappointment, but centurions Rohit Sharma (131) and Ravindra Jadeja (110 n.o.) saved them that displeasure by adding 204 runs for the fourth wicket.

Oh, and there was debutant Sarfaraz Khan batting against England as if he were still playing first-class cricket without an audience.

The youngster’s prayer for an opportunity was answered when Anil Kumble handed him his Test cap in the morning before India won the toss and chose to bat.

Better yet, the question of whether the Mumbaikar’s talent would translate on the highest level was answered with a telling 62 from 66 balls.

Three knocks of varying styles, impact and occasion led India to 326 for 5 in 86 overs at stumps.

But, think about it, it took Rohit becoming the oldest Indian captain to score a century in Tests, Jadeja’s first Test century in nearly two years, and a coming out party for Sarfaraz to overcome the severity of the damage caused inside the first hour of play,

This narrative, however, can also be used to accentuate the quality of the batting on the day, and India’s impeccable stratagem.

That Rohit would score a century became a moot point after he found his feet moving in rhythm. There was a chance at slip, and a couple of close DRS reprieves, but by and large Rohit was doing Rohit things. It was classy, effortless, unsurprising and it was his 11th Test ton.

What was surprising, though, was when Jadeja ran out to bat after Patidar’s brain-fade dismissal.

The move served two purposes. One, the left-right combination could be achieved. Two, India could afford to shield Sarfaraz and Dhruv Jurel, the other debutant.

Jadeja did his role without ever once looking like he was about to get out, and in the end, he didn’t. But, it will sit heavy on him that his unnecessary eagerness cost Sarfaraz his wicket.

In fact, even Jadeja’s post-ton sword-flourish celebration was toned down because of its closeness to a run-out he had caused.

On 99, the southpaw pushed the ball towards Mark Wood at mid-on and set off for a run which was definitely not on. Sarfaraz heeded the call of his partner and set off without looking at the ball, which is in line with textbook cricket.

By the time Jadeja called off the run, Sarfaraz was too far from safety, and Wood hammered the stumps down.

The 26-year-old, who has toiled for close to a decade in first-class cricket for one chance, stared at the blinking bails for a while, turned towards Jadeja for answers, found none, and walked off.

At the opposite end, Jadeja hung his head in shame. In the dressing room, Rohit flung his cap in disgust.

The crowd went quiet, but the dressing room came alive to appreciate, and make the young man feel welcome. At long last.