(Image Credit: NDTV Sports)
On Saturday, India defeated England by an innings and 25 runs to win the 4th Test series 3-1 in Ahmedabad, with this win India has also sealed the final spot in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s vs New Zealand.
It was expected that India will win but no one thought that England would fold up early on day 3 as Axar Patel (5 for 48) and Ravichandran Ashwin (5 for 47) took all 10 wickets in their second innings.
https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1368149627464118274?s=20
Washington Sundar was left stranded on an unbeaten 96 as India were bowled out for 365 runs, with a 160-run lead exactly at the stroke of lunch. Also, that 160 was all that could possibly be needed for Indian spinners to weave their web around the England batsmen, who were playing the turning deliveries.
None of the England batsmen showed any application, temperament, method or assurance to play the Indian spin duo of Axar and Ashwin.
The England slide began not long after lunch when Ashwin excused Zak Crawley (5) and Jonny Bairstow (0) off consecutive deliveries. Axar was lucky to get his first wicket wen Dom Sibley’s range shot hit Shubman Gill on his cushions at forward short leg, the ball bobbed high undetermined for Rishab pant to take a simple catch.
Ben Stokes (2) attempted to be forceful yet his paddle sweep was caught by Indian captain Virat Kohli at in reverse short leg as England were reduced to 30/4.
Ollie Pope (15) added 35 runs with his captain Joe Root yet his aggressive instincts couldn’t take him far as he moved down the track to a deliveries by Axar, missed it and was puzzled by Pant.
Root (30) at that point misinterpreted the length of an Ashwin deliveries and was caught plumb in front to finish England’s misery.
Dan Lawrence, 50 off 95 balls, deferred the inevitable with a gritty half-century, but eventually ran out of partners at the other end. England were bundled out for 135 in 54.5 overs in their second innings, handing the hosts another gigantic win.
Playing just his 4th Test, Sundar showed incredible composure and maturity in his 96-run knock. Sundar’s 113-run remain with Pant for the seventh wicket on Day 2 took India in front of the England total and his 106-run partnership with Axar (43) for the eighth wicket on Day3 guaranteed that there were no rebounds for the England squad.
Sundar hit a six and 10 fours in his knocks and however he was unfortunate he ran out of partners and missed his maiden Test hundred, his knock was pretty much as great and significant as a century.