Summary

  • England bowled out for 122 to lose third Test in Rajkot by 434 runs

  • India take 2-1 lead in series with two Tests to play

  • Jadeja claims 5-41, Kuldeep takes two, Bumrah and returning Ashwin one each

  • Jaiswal makes brilliant double ton including 12 sixes - joint most in Test knock

  • India 430-4 dec: Jaiswal 214*, Gill 91, Sarfaraz 68*

  • Fourth Test in Ranchi begins on Friday

  1. Ashwin to return on day fourpublished at 04:47 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February
    Breaking

    Ravichandran AshwinImage source, Getty Images

    The BCCI has now confirmed what Kuldeep Yadav hinted at earlier.

    Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will return to the Test today, having left before day three for a family emergency.

    "The team management, players, media and fans have shown immense understanding and empathy, acknowledging the importance of family as a priority," the BCCI said.

    "The team and its supporters have stood united in support of Ashwin during this challenging period, and the management is delighted to welcome him back to the field."

  2. Ind 235-2published at 62 overs

    Lead by 361

    Fantastic intent from Kuldeep, smacking Hartley back down the ground for four.

    He then tries an elaborate reverse sweep that doesn't come off - the ball strikes him on the pad but he was well outside the line and England's appeals die in their throats.

  3. Ind 230-2published at 61 overs

    Lead by 356

    Ah, here's that change as Mark Wood replaces James Anderson.

    He storms in from around the wicket and Kuldeep squeezes him to point for a single. Gill then takes his own run with a push to the leg side.

  4. Ind 228-2published at 60 overs

    Lead by 354

    Into the ninth over of the day and no change in the England bowlers yet, as Hartley continues.

    The India batters work him for three singles.

  5. Ind 225-2published at 59 overs

    Lead by 351

    Lovely classic drive from Shubman Gill, sending Anderson's final ball rocketing to the cover boundary.

    And with that India's lead passes 350.

  6. Ind 219-2published at 58 overs

    Lead by 345

    A first four of the day for Gill, pulling a low Hartley delivery to the ropes.

    He then takes a single to move to 77.

    All pretty comfortable for the India batters so far.

  7. Ind 214-2published at 57 overs

    Lead by 340

    Gill cuts Anderson down to backward point for a single, making his ground at the bowler's end with little more than a gentle stroll.

    It's enough to enthuse the crowd, again featuring a lot of children, who seem to get excited by anything that reaches the outfield.

  8. Ind 213-2published at 56 overs

    Lead by 339

    Ooof, a rank long hop from Hartley to finish his over and Kuldeep doesn't need asking twice, clouting it to the boundary in front of square.

  9. Postpublished at 04:20 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport chief cricket writer in Rajkot

    Fans gather outside the ticket office at RajkotImage source, BBC Sport

    This was the ticket office around 30 minutes before the start of play. The most expensive ticket in the stands in 300 rupees, so just under £3. Hospitality comes in at 1200 rupees.

  10. Ind 208-2published at 55 overs

    Lead by 334

    Gill pushes Anderson for a single to point, the sole run from the over.

    Kuldeep displayed some aggression in the previous over, but there's no real reason for India to take any risks in the first hour today.

  11. Postpublished at 04:14 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent

    Kuldeep has complete licence to play big shots. India will be keen to press on positively towards, what, a 500-run lead? Have England batting by mid-afternoon.

  12. 6 runs

    Ind 207-2published at 54 overs

    Lead by 333

    Huge from Kuldeep Yadav!

    He steps down the pitch to hoik Hartley's final delivery over long-on.

    That's his first six for India.

  13. Ind 200-2published at 53 overs

    Lead by 326

    It's James Anderson at the other end for England, bowling with just one slip in place.

    Gill cuts him for one, bringing up the India 200.

  14. 'Ash is coming back' - Kuldeeppublished at 04:06 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    In his interview before playing, Kuldeep Yadav suggested Ravichandran Ashwin is going to return to the Test.

    He missed day three for a family emergency.

    "I am not sure but I think Ash bhai is coming back," Kuldeep said.

    He also said Yashasvi Jaiswal, who retired hurt with a back issue yesterday, is "feeling much better".

    On the match situation, Kuldeep said: "Close to 400 is a good total. On day five it is not that easy to chase. We are getting a lot of purchase on the surface."

  15. Ind 199-2published at 52 overs

    Lead by 325

    Shubman Gill takes a single from the first ball of the day, pushing one to mid-off.

    Kuldeep also gets going for his first delivery, slipping one down to the fine leg region.

  16. Postpublished at 04:00 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Tom Hartley's going to open the bowling for England.

    Shubman Gill resumes on 65, while Kuldeep Yadav, in as a nightwatchman for the second time in this match, is on 3.

    Let's get cracking.

  17. Postpublished at 03:59 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Our chief cricket writer Stephan Shemilt summed up England's woes yesterday.

    "Making sense of the highs and lows of this England team is harder than putting spilled milk back into the bottle. The highs have become regular and often mountainous. They make the lows all the more unfathomable."

    Take a read here.

  18. Postpublished at 03:53 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Was yesterday the worst day of the Bazball era? It's certainly up there.

    Having dominated India on the evening of day two, England collapsed from 224-2 to to 319 all out, before the hosts moved with little trouble to 196-2 at the close, a lead of 322.

    If England are to stand any chance at all of chasing India down then they need early wickets - they've struck on the mornings of day one and two, so it could happen again. But if Rohit Sharma's side survive the session they will have likely reached a total that England will find near impossible to chase, even in their aggressive pomp.

  19. Postpublished at 03:45 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Good morning.

    For most of us, the next few hours will be of little consequence, the majority tucked up under duvets or idly scrolling their phones on some foreign shore.

    But for the England side the following session is absolutely vital, not simply because it will decide this match, but because it may set the tone for the remainder of the series.

    Time to step up.