RAJKOT, India, Feb 18, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - India skipper Rohit Sharma on 
Sunday said winning a Test with a huge margin over England was "quite 
satisfying" after youngsters stood up to deliver in the absence of frontline 
players.

The hosts hammered England by 434 runs in Rajkot on day four for their 
biggest-ever Test victory to lead the five-match series 2-1.

Yashasvi Jaiswal hit an unbeaten 214 and put on a marathon 172-run stand with 
debutant Sarfaraz Khan, 68 not out, to set up the dominant win.

India are without star batsman Virat Kohli, who opted out of the series due 
to "personal reasons" and KL Rahul missed two matches after the opener with 
injury.

"Big victory, obviously it's a very good feeling to win a game like that and 
especially with such a young team as well," Rohit told reporters.

"Two debutants and not a lot of Test matches among the playing XI...(was) not 
going to be an easy one for us to just come out here and win this series, 
especially with a lot of our frontline players missing."

He said, "Lot of credit to these young guys who have come in and showed lot 
of character. Looks like they belong here and going to stay here as well. So 
quite satisfying if you win a Test match like that."

The 22-year-old Jaiswal, a left-hand batter, smashed his second double ton in 
consecutive matches to lead the series batting with 545 runs.

- Fearless batting -

He tore into the England bowling attack, hitting 12 sixes including three 
hits over the fence off veteran pace bowler James Anderson.

Jaiswal "is playing well, it's good for us and he is in good form", said 
Rohit.

Sarfaraz, 26, impressed with his fearless batting as he scored 62 and another 
debutant in wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel made 46.

A prolific batsman in the domestic circuit, Sarfaraz got his Test cap from 
former captain Anil Kumble with his teary-eyed father looking on.

"There is nervousness on debut but I didn't find him nervous," said Rohit.

He said when Sarfaraz received the cap in the morning of day one, "he was 
very emotional but he was involved in the game the moment (the) match 
started. He was looking to make a difference with his batting, fielding and 
energy. "

India played without senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on day three after he 
left the Test midway hours after his 500th Test wicket to be with his ailing 
mother.

Off-spinner Ashwin returned on day four and got one wicket to be part of 
India's triumph.

"Good of him to make a way and come here and be part of the team on this 
day," said Rohit, adding it "shows the kind of person he is...wanting to put 
everything ahead for the team."