Many of you would have noticed that Indian players took the field against England in Rajkot wearing black armbands on Saturday. If you wonder why, it was in the memory of former national captain Dattajirao Gaekwad.
Dattajirao Gaekwad, who played 11 Tests for India between 1951 and 1962, died on February 13 after remaining hospitalised for 12 days. At 95, he was India's oldest living Test cricketer.
"Team India will be wearing black armbands in memory of Dattajirao Gaekwad, former India captain and India's oldest Test cricketer who passed away recently," the BCCI said in a statement shortly before the third day's play got underway here at the Niranjan Shah Stadium.
A right-handed batter, who could bowl both medium pace and leg-break, Dattajirao was India's captain during the 1959 tour of England. Dattajirao was the father of former India batter and coach Aunshuman Gaekwad.
India vs England Day 3: As it happened
Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed a rapid hundred before retiring hurt as India stretched their overall lead to 322 with eight wickets in hand to take control of the game. The hosts are left with 10 players for the rest of the match after Ravichandran Ashwin withdrew on Friday night due to a family emergency.
Mohammed Siraj (4-84) and Kuldeep Yadav (2-77) made up for the off-spinner's absence as they combined to skittle out England - who had started the day on a solid 207-2 - for 319 in reply to India's first innings total of 445.
India finished day three on 196-2 but Jaiswal, struggling with a back spasm, retired hurt after his scintillating 104, which included five sixes and nine fours. Shubman Gill was batting on 65 with nightwatchman Kuldeep on three at the other end.
