The defeat of India in the fourth Test allowed the hosts to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
It was an abject surrender by the Indian batsmen as they were skittled out for a paltry 161 in 43 overs after conceding a 215-run lead to England, who wrapped the match within three days.
It was again off-spinner Moeen Ali (4-39), who plotted India’s downfall with the visitors losing nine wickets in the final session of play of the third day’s play. Moeen, with 19 wickets in the series so far, is just two wickets behind James Anderson (21), who is the leading wicket-taker of the series so far.
Cheteshwar Pujara (17), Ajinkya Rahane (1), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (27) and Ravindra Jadeja (4) were Moeen’s victims as the off-spinner made the batsmen dance to his tunes. Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin (48 not out) though did try to spill over the game to the fourth day after stitching a 39-run seventh-wicket partnership but the duo could only delay the inevitable.
Moeen apart, the bowlers came up with another fine display even in the absence of Stuart Broad, who was out injured after getting hit on s nose while batting in the England innings. Anderson and Chris Jordan picked up two wickets each as Chris Woakes, who shared the new ball with Anderson, started the wickettaking after sending Murali Vijay (18) trapped LBW before the tea break.
The hosts had managed to score 367 in their only innings, which came in reply to India’s first innings score of 152 as nearly two session so play was lost due to rain interruptions on Friday.
Earlier in the session, the last English pair of Anderson (9) and Woakes (26*, 39 balls, 3 fours) then added 29 runs as India waited for either of them to get out, bowling too short and wide, or indeed for the declaration to come. It reflected on a negative mind-set that was apparent since the first ball of the morning session. Finally, Ravindra Jadeja (1-36) was able to get Anderson in the 106th over and Broad?s retirement meant the innings was over with the hosts in driver’s seat.
In the morning session, Pankaj (2-113) finally managed to get his maiden Test wicket and then added a second to his list. Strangely enough Ravichandran Ashwin (0-29) didn’t get a bowl on the third day until the last pair was at the crease.
After the 266-run defeat in Southampton, the visitors have failed to pick up the pieces and now look like a side in complete trouble. Their only win coming at Lord’s in the second game. The two teams will now travel to London for the final match at the Oval starting August 15 with the visitors only having a chance to level the series.
Brief Scores India 152 and 161 (R Ashwin 46 no, MS Dhoni 27, Moeen Ali 4/39, Jimmy Anderson 2/18); England 1st innings 367 (Joe Root 77, Jos Buttler 70, Ian Bell 58, B Kumar 3/75, V Aaron 3/97, P Singh 2/113).
It was an abject surrender by the Indian batsmen as they were skittled out for a paltry 161 in 43 overs after conceding a 215-run lead to England, who wrapped the match within three days.
It was again off-spinner Moeen Ali (4-39), who plotted India’s downfall with the visitors losing nine wickets in the final session of play of the third day’s play. Moeen, with 19 wickets in the series so far, is just two wickets behind James Anderson (21), who is the leading wicket-taker of the series so far.
Cheteshwar Pujara (17), Ajinkya Rahane (1), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (27) and Ravindra Jadeja (4) were Moeen’s victims as the off-spinner made the batsmen dance to his tunes. Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin (48 not out) though did try to spill over the game to the fourth day after stitching a 39-run seventh-wicket partnership but the duo could only delay the inevitable.
Moeen apart, the bowlers came up with another fine display even in the absence of Stuart Broad, who was out injured after getting hit on s nose while batting in the England innings. Anderson and Chris Jordan picked up two wickets each as Chris Woakes, who shared the new ball with Anderson, started the wickettaking after sending Murali Vijay (18) trapped LBW before the tea break.
The hosts had managed to score 367 in their only innings, which came in reply to India’s first innings score of 152 as nearly two session so play was lost due to rain interruptions on Friday.
Earlier in the session, the last English pair of Anderson (9) and Woakes (26*, 39 balls, 3 fours) then added 29 runs as India waited for either of them to get out, bowling too short and wide, or indeed for the declaration to come. It reflected on a negative mind-set that was apparent since the first ball of the morning session. Finally, Ravindra Jadeja (1-36) was able to get Anderson in the 106th over and Broad?s retirement meant the innings was over with the hosts in driver’s seat.
In the morning session, Pankaj (2-113) finally managed to get his maiden Test wicket and then added a second to his list. Strangely enough Ravichandran Ashwin (0-29) didn’t get a bowl on the third day until the last pair was at the crease.
After the 266-run defeat in Southampton, the visitors have failed to pick up the pieces and now look like a side in complete trouble. Their only win coming at Lord’s in the second game. The two teams will now travel to London for the final match at the Oval starting August 15 with the visitors only having a chance to level the series.
Brief Scores India 152 and 161 (R Ashwin 46 no, MS Dhoni 27, Moeen Ali 4/39, Jimmy Anderson 2/18); England 1st innings 367 (Joe Root 77, Jos Buttler 70, Ian Bell 58, B Kumar 3/75, V Aaron 3/97, P Singh 2/113).