This is the first test series defeat of the “Bazball” since Ben Stokes took over the captaincy and Brendon McCullum took over the reins of coaching.
Aditya Pandey
In Short:
- “Bazball” is demolished in the Indian soil.
- India win by an innings and 64 runs.
- Indian youngsters have shown the depth of the team.
India thrashed England by an innings and 64 runs to win the fifth and final test match of the series at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association in Dharamshala on Saturday. With this India wins the series 4-1. R Ashwin bagged his 36th five-wicket haul in Test format, bowling out England for NUM0 at the end of the second session. Ravichandran Ashwin joins the elite list of Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralidharan, and Anil Kumble as the only bowlers to bag a five-wicket haul in their 100th test match.
The test match started on a chilly morning with English captain Ben Stokes winning the toss and batting first. It was a good pitch to bat unlike a rank turner, but Indian bowlers were above the English batsmen. Kuldeep Yadav got his fourth five-wicket haul in the first innings. The Indian team came to bat and Yashasvi Jaiswal hammered 57 runs from 58 balls, both the openers made a solid partnership of 104. After, Yashasvi departed it was Rohit Sharma and Shubhman Gill’s centuries that gave India the lead in the match. Rohit scored 103 and Gill made his fifth test century.
Devdutt Padikkal who was making his debut in place of Rajat Patidar scored his first half-century in international cricket. Along with him, Sarfaraz was also the half-centurion. Indian team’s first innings ended on 477 making the lead of 259 runs which was going to be very tough for England batters.
And, on Day three once again Ravichandran Ashwin showed his masterclass of spin and bagged five wickets. Joe Root was the only batter who scored some runs from their side, he made 84 runs. On day three Captain Rohit didn’t come for the fielding as he complained of a stiff back. Jasprit Bumrah was the stand-in captain. Kuldeep Yadav received The Player of the Match award for exceptionally bowling well and taking seven wickets. Yashasvi Jaiswal receives the Player of the Series award for being the highest run-scorer.