Rohit Sharma asking Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan to return© X (Twitter)
On Day 4 of the third Test between India and England, a big concussion unfolded in the middle of the pitch as Ben Stokes‘ men mistook drinks break with the declaration. The likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan reached their double century and fifty respectively. Though it was a drinks break that saw the players in the field and in the dressing room break from the gameplay, a few including Sarfaraz and Jaiswal mistook the occasion as the declaration. India captain Rohit Sharma had to come to the edge of the dressing room and instruct the players to return.
Even the likes of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett are said to have returned to the dressing room, thinking they were set to bat next, but were informed that India hadn’t declared by then. Even the commentators were left in splits upon seeing the epic scenes in the middle.
Rohit’s decision to delay the declaration beyond the drinks break when England were expecting him to declare has played havoc with England’s mindset -Saurav Ganguly
-Captain Rohit Sharma played with Thier Mindset #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/imSoOM9zgv
— Jod Insane (@jod_insane) February 18, 2024
Rohit bhai angry when Sarfaraz and Jaiswal thought he declared the innings and started coming back #RohitSharma #YashasviJaiswal #SarfarazKhan #INDvsENG #INDvENGTest pic.twitter.com/MF2ITuxA43
— (@hardy0_9) February 18, 2024
Jaiswal and Sarfaraz returned to the field after the drinks break and played for one more over, adding 18 runs before Rohit declared the innings for real this time.
India resumed the second session of day four from 314/4 with Yashasvi Jaiswal (149*) and Sarfaraz Khan (22*) on the crease. The hosts continue to dominate the game with a lead of 440 runs.
Both the batters completed their hundred-run partnership in just 88 balls as Sarfaraz slammed a boundary of the first ball of the 87th over which was bowled by experienced seamer James Anderson.
Sarfaraz completed his second consecutive fifty as he smashed a boundary on the fourth ball of the 96th over which was bowled by leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed.
Jaiswal brought up his second double ton in red-ball cricket in the first ball of the next over (97th over) as he took a single off Anderson’s bowling.
India declared their second innings after scoring 430 runs with the loss of four wickets and set a mammoth target of 557 runs for England to chase.
With ANI inputs
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