Left Arm Around

India dismiss England for 122 to complete a comprehensive 434-run victory on day four of the third Test in Rajkot.

Ravindra Jadeja starred with 5-41 to go alongside the century he made in the first innings.

England were set a highly improbable target of 557 following an unbeaten double hundred from opener Yashasvi Jaiswal.

The 22-year-old struck 14 fours and 12 sixes- a record-equalling number of maximums in a Test innings.

Sarfaraz Khan also impressed on debut with 62 and 68*, meanwhile Shubman Gill continued his renewed form with 91.

This was by far the heaviest loss of the Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum ‘Bazball’ era- a worrying sign of things ahead as the tourists aim to create history and become the first side to win a series in India since 2012.

They’ve suffered defeats before, most notably against Australia in the Ashes and a one-sided annihilation at the hands of South Africa at Lord’s, but the manner of the loss here signals a team that basically capitulated and failed to adapt when times got tough.

The most hardcore of traditionalists have become revered by the confidence and free flowing attitude of the Bazball approach, though many England supporters will be seething with the fight and application of a team that only won a dramatic Test match in Hyderabad just a few weeks ago.

England were going extremely well on 224-2 in the first innings as opener Ben Duckett crunched India to all parts, displaying all manner of sweep shots to leave the home crowd in silence.

But following Joe Root’s dismissal to an ugly reverse ramp shot, England collapsed to 319 all-out and never even looked like clawing themselves back into the contest.

And that is despite the absence of Ravichandran Ashwin on day 3.

Having confidence is key, and it has brought great reward.

However, if England wish to become a GREAT team, rather than a good one, they must learn to read match situations better and respect the opposition more.

A quality attack consisting of Bumrah, Ashwin, Jadeja and co will bowl you good spells, therefore sometimes you have to bunker down, soak up the pressure and go again later. You need a solid defence too.

Being positive and proactive is one thing- but going ‘gung-ho’ is another thing entirely.

As England look to level the series in Ranchi, and potentially win it in Dharamshala, the real test of the new era begins now.

Will the loss shatter them and leave a permanent scar?

Will they retreat?

Or will they remain positive in their methods and determined to prove the doubters wrong?

No matter what happens, it’s sure to be great viewing….