India defeat England by 112 Runs in 3rd Test Thriller
In a gripping, spin-dominated contest at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, India claimed a hard-fought 112-run victory over England in the 3rd Test of their five-match series on March 9–13, 2026, taking a 2-1 lead. Batting first after Rohit Sharma won the toss on a dry, turning pitch, India posted 512, anchored by Shubman Gill’s elegant 188 and Virat Kohli’s imperious 142. England replied with 378, Joe Root’s gritty 124 the standout, trailing by 134. India declared their second innings at 288 for 6 — Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 88 off 102 the highlight — setting 403 to win. England, chasing 403, were bowled out for 291 in 92.3 overs, with Ravichandran Ashwin claiming 6 for 78 and Ravindra Jadeja 3 for 62 spinning the decisive web on a day-five dustbowl. The win — India’s first Test victory in Rajkot against England — vaults them to 3rd in the WTC standings (PCT 58.33) and extends their unbeaten home streak to 19.
The SCA Stadium produced a classic subcontinental turner, with spinners dominating all five days under overcast skies and intermittent rain delays. Rohit’s decision to bat first exploited the conditions, but Root’s century kept England in the hunt until Ashwin’s spell. For Ben Stokes (rested for this Test), the defeat was frustrating after a promising first-innings effort; for Rohit, it’s a dream continuation of his captaincy legacy.
India XI Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
England XI Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir
India 1st Innings – 512 all out (152.4 overs) Rohit fell early for 18, but Gill and Kohli added 156. Gill made 188 (242 balls, 20×4, 2×6) patient, Kohli 142 (188 balls, 14×4, 1×6) elegant. Rahul (68 off 112) and Pant (88 off 102) added quick runs before Leach (4-112) and Atkinson (3-88) cleaned up.
England 1st Innings – 378 all out (118.2 overs) Crawley (48) and Duckett (68) added 112. Duckett fell lbw to Ashwin. Root and Pope added 112 — Root’s 124 (118 balls, 12×4) vintage, Pope 62 off 78. Brook (48) and Smith (38) pushed the total, but Jadeja (4-78) and Ashwin (3-88) triggered the collapse.
India 2nd Innings – 288-6 dec (78.4 overs) Gill (48) and Kohli (68) added 112. Kohli fell lbw to Leach. Pant 88 off 102* (8×4, 2×6) and Rahul (48) added 98. Hardik (42) and Ashwin (28*) pushed to declaration at tea on day four. Target: 403.
England 2nd Innings – 291 all out (92.3 overs) Crawley (48) and Duckett (62) added 112. Root scratched 38 before lbw to Ashwin. Brook (68) and Smith (48) resisted, but Ashwin’s 6-78 and Jadeja’s 3-62 triggered the collapse. Last man Bashir lbw to Ashwin sealed the innings defeat at 4:47 pm on day five.
Key Moments
- Gill-Kohli 156-run stand — highest 2nd-wicket vs ENG in Rajkot
- Ashwin’s 6-78 — first six-for at home since 2023
- England’s second-innings fight — highest total at Rajkot vs IND since 2023
- Pant’s unbeaten 88 — first India player to score 80+ in both innings vs ENG in Rajkot
Player of the Match: Shubman Gill (188 & 48)
Rohit Sharma: “Gill and Kohli were class. Spinners set it up perfectly. We’re 2-1 — Hyderabad next.”
Ben Stokes (rested): “Outstanding fightback. Root’s ton set it; bowlers finished it.”
Series: India 2–1 England Next → 4th Test: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi — March 2-6
India eye series lead; England fight for survival. The series heats up.
