England's batting prowess was on full display in Rajkot as Ben Duckett's masterful century steered the visitors to a commendable 207/2 by the close of day 2, challenging India's first-innings score of 445. Duckett's aggressive approach from the outset put India on the back foot, highlighting England's dynamic "Bazball" strategy.
Despite India's sizeable total, England, led by Duckett's brilliance, launched a formidable response. Duckett, with his relentless boundary-hitting, became the centre of the action. His partnership with Ollie Pope was particularly damaging to India's hopes of tightening their grip on the match.
Ravichandran Ashwin did achieve a personal milestone by claiming his 500th Test wicket with Zak Crawley's dismissal. However, Duckett, undeterred at the other end, continued his onslaught. His rapid scoring pace saw him reaching a hundred in just the 26th over, marking a significant moment in the match.
While Pope eventually fell to Mohammed Siraj, Duckett, joined by Joe Root, ensured England ended the day on a high note, without further losses. Their partnership has positioned England strongly, trailing India by just 238 runs with plenty of time left in the match.
England's assertive stance, buoyed by Duckett's exceptional innings, sets the stage for an intriguing contest in the days to come. The Three Lions' strategy and execution have sent a clear message about their intent and capability, m