India completed the formalities in the Dharamsala Test as they posted a crushing innings and 64-run win on Day 3. With this victory, India emerged triumphant in the series with a 4-1 margin. R Ashwin engineered England’s collapse in the second innings, picking up a five-for. Only Joe Root played with a sense of composure, scoring a valiant 84.
When England batted in the second innings, the batters seemed to be mentally not there as India’s bowlers ran through the side. Ben Duckett skipping down the track and getting cleaned up in the second over indicated that England might not last long. Ashwin also accounted for Zak Crawley, with the opener spooning a catch to the fielder stationed at forward short-leg. Ollie Pope, who looked to take the aggressive route, soon became Ashwin’s third victim.
For a while, Jonny Bairstow played an array of shots — lofts, flicks and slog-sweeps. Just that it wasn’t going to last long against a quality attack as he was dismissed LBW by Kuldeep Yadav. He took the review but replays suggested it would be the umpire’s call. Ben Stokes and Ben Foakes also fell in quick succession. By then, Ashwin had taken yet another five-for in his Test career, and that too in his 100th Test. A master of his own craft. This was his 36th, the most by an Indian.
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Meanwhile, for England, despite wickets falling at regular intervals, Root calmly went about his business. He did play some delightful drives and flicks but more importantly it was the Root of old. He wasn’t trying any of those fancy shots. Ultimately, he was the last man dismissed, losing his wicket to Kuldeep, bringing to an end England’s misery.
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India have a lot of positives to take from the series. Yashasvi Jaiswal aggregated a monstrous 712 runs, Dhruv Jurel put on stellar performances under pressure while Sarfaraz Khan showcased glimpses of his pyrotechnics versus spin. Jasprit Bumrah, Ashwin and Jadeja and Rohit Sharma — the experienced players — made an impact at crucial junctures. And then there was Kuldeep. Be it with the bat or ball, he turned out to be the telling difference between the two sides.
What about England? One of the key issues with the visitors is they don’t have enough quality in their ranks to match teams like Australia and India in their backyards. Five of their top seven batters average below 40. One of them averages in the 20s. The Bazball approach will come into focus but if you don’t have the required quality and depth, then at some point of time, your deficiencies will get exposed.
The one silver lining for England has been the noteworthy performances put on by their spin duo of Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir. Day 3 of the final Test also saw James Anderson bagging his 700th Test scalp. Just reward for a bowler who has refined his craft for over two decades.