New Delhi: As a lucrative day of Test cricket, the Indian cricket team’s all-round effort helped them make a historic comeback on England on the fifth and final day of the India vs England fourth Test at The Oval. Monday. India bowled England out for 210 in three sessions to win the Oval Test by 157 runs and go 2–1 in the five-match Test series.
Rohit and KL Rahul’s brilliant batting in India’s second innings helped India set a mammoth target of 368 runs. The Indian bowlers, especially in batting-friendly conditions, opened their hearts to put on a remarkable performance. England kept losing wickets at regular intervals and could never make a comeback after losing both their openers. Ravindra Jadeja (2/50), Umesh Yadav (3/60), Shardul Thakur (2/22) and Jasprit Bumrah (2/27) played starring roles.
In the history of Test cricket at The Oval, no team has ever managed to chase down a target of more than 300 in the fourth innings. The highest score chased at the Oval in Test cricket is 263.
For the last 44 years, India has not lost a single Test match after leading by more than 300, having won all 34 matches so far and registered its 35th win today. In 1977-78, Australia defeated India chasing 342 runs.
Earlier on Day 4, India were bundled out for 466 in their second innings, setting England a target of 368 on Sunday. At stumps on Day 4, England were 77/0 and needed 291 runs to win.
Chasing such a tough target, the England openers batted well against the new ball and got off to a great start, helping England cross the 100-run mark in the first 30 minutes of the final day. However, all-rounder Shardul Thakur broke the solid stand in his first over of the day by dismissing Rory Burns with a delivery.
A few overs later, the hesitation and confusion between Hameed and Burns was a disaster for the hosts as keeper Rishabh Pant was thrown off Mayank Agarwal, resulting in Dawid Malan’s dismissal for just 5.
At lunch, the Indian team was on top after taking two prized wickets for just 54 runs and England were under immense pressure to stabilize their team’s sinking ship with Hameed and Captain Root at the crease. From here, it was important for the hosts not to lose any more wickets and avoid exposing their inexperienced middle-order so early, as there are few sessions left in the game.
After the wickets of Malan and Burns in the opening session, the Indian bowlers put the hosts under pressure.
Within minutes of the post-lunch session, India made a complete mockery of the England batsmen. A ripper from Jadeja, pitching on the rough, takes a sharp turn to push Hameed past the off-stumps. Speedster Jasprit Bumrah’s masterclass impressed England in a big way and the game took a big turn towards Virat Kohli and Co. Bumrah messed up the stumps of Ollie Pope to get his historic 100th Test wicket.
In Bumrah’s next over, Bairstow was stunned when a well-directed in-swinging pitch removed his stumps. With this, England’s half was back in the pavilion and a few minutes later Jadeja pushed India even closer, taking the wicket of in-form Moeen Ali to trouble the hosts, the distance to reclaim the series. touched it.
All-rounder Shardul Thakur has a knack for taking wickets at crucial moments of the game and he did well again taking the prized wicket of captain Joe Root. England’s tail-enders were soon dismissed by India as they wrapped up the Oval Test to lead the series 2-1.
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