India literally coasted to victory on the third day itself, beating England quite convincingly by an innings and 25 runs in the 4th and final Test at the Narendra Modi stadium, Motera.
Of course, no one likes the one-sided games. In fact, any true cricket lover would rather love to watch a Test match going to the wire, to the final day but then, that happens only when both the opponents are skillful enough to be able to challenge each other regularly, alternatively throwing punches and keeping the other at bay. However, if one of the two lacks the skills or stops showing the courage and gumption to fight, the game would then swiftly turn into a one-sided affair! That's what happened at the Motera. If the 3rd Test (Pink ball day-night Test) at the Narendra Modi Stadium lasted for mere 2 days, the 4th and final test match of the Paytm bilateral series fared only a little better, ending on the third day. Funnily, none from the likes of Micheal Vaughan, Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss or David Lloyd ever complain about the grassy pitches (aiding swing bowling) when Test matches get over within 3 days in their country! Double-standards, eh! But notwithstanding these grumbling critics whining about the Motera pitch for not being of the Test match standards, it was actually the inept technique and poor application by the English batsmen against the turning ball (as had been the case throughout the Test series), that was exposed once again and brought about a premature end to the fourth Test. Trailing by 160 runs in the first innings, the England side was looking to first overhaul the Indian lead but instead got bundled out on the third day itself, for a mere 135 runs in their second innings. Thus the Indian team won the Paytm bilateral series 3-1 and in the process, also qualified for the ICC World Test Championship final to be played at the Lords Cricket Ground in June, 2021 against New Zealand.
Although the English side were bowled out for just 205 runs in their first innings, they were still in the game for a good period of time, all thanks to their premier fast bowlers James Anderson and Ben Stokes for their wholehearted spells of seam and swing bowling, that had put the Indian top order in trouble. India at one point in time, were in a precarious situation at 146 for 6 (still 59 runs behind England's first innings score) and at that juncture, it was anybody's game. But impressive batting performances by the young guns Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel put their team in the driver's seat. First it was Rishabh Pant's knock of 101 runs and his crucial partnership of 113 runs with Washington Sundar for the 7th wicket that helped India take the lead and then the 106 runs partnership between Sundar and Axar Patel, put India in a commanding position. Well, as per the stats, that 106 runs partnership between Axar and Washington was India's 20th century partnership for the 8th wicket in international cricket - the most and on par with England and Australia! This was also only the third ever instance in Tests where both the 7th wicket and the 8th wicket partnerships had added more than 100 runs each (the previous two instances were back in 2008 and 2011).
Once the Indian lead crossed 150, it was always going to be a tough task for the English batsmen in their second innings. And that proved out to be true, the openers were gone quickly and so also their batting mainstays Joe Root and Ben Stokes who couldn't last long. England were 91 for 6 at tea on the 3rd day and eventually got bowled out for 135, Dan Lawrence being the last man to be dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin, clean bowled for 50 runs. Both Axar Patel as well as Ravi Ashwin took 5 wickets a piece. It was also the 30th time that Ravichandran Ashwin got a five-wicket haul in a Test innings. Thus he was rightly declared the Man of the Series.
Rishabh Pant played a Test innings of the highest quality!
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| Rishabh Pant's first century on home soil against England |
Rishabh Pant's maiden century on home soil was the perfect combination of defense and aggression. It was so heartening to see that despite being a dasher, Rishabh Pant was willing to adapt his game according to the match situation. India were 80 for 4 (still a good 125 runs behind England's first innings score) when Rishabh Pant walked into the middle to join Rohit Sharma. Any rash shot at that juncture could have easily jeopardised India's chances. So he started cautiously, stiching a partnership of 41 runs with Rohit Sharma before the latter was dismissed LBW. Ashwin too couldn't last long. It was then sensible batting by both Pant and Washington Sundar that took India to safety. It was after tea when England took the new ball that Pant took the attack to the opposition, with a flurry of audacious strokes (none better than the reverse-sweep of James Anderson). He then brought up the third century of his career with a six of Jack Leach. His knock of 101 runs contained 13 boundaries and 2 sixes.
With that century of his in the first innings, Rishabh Pant joined former Australian wicketkeeper, Adam Gilchrist in a unique record - as they are the only two wicketkeepers in the history of the game to have hit a century in Australia, England and India.
Well, as Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) pointed out about Rishabh Pant, "It’s not just about how many you get, but also when you get them. If you can somehow sync the first with the second, when the team needs it most, you’re a true match winner."
No wonder Rishabh Pant was named the Man of the Match.
Spare a thought for Washington Sundar, who missed out on a well-deserving century
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| Washington Sundar has impressed everyone |
As far as batting is concerned, another young gun who has impressed one and all and has shown a lot of promise in the recent times is Washington Sundar. And he is only getting better and better by the day. Earlier too in the 1st innings of the 1st Test match of the series at Chennai, he had missed out on his maiden century - he had scored a fighting knock of 85 not out against the same English side and deserved a century but had ran out of partners in the end. Unfortunately this time too he was left stranded on 96 not out as he lost all his remaining partners in the space of five balls. The way he batted, the class and elegance he exuded, he thoroughly deserved a century, he was so tantalisingly close to scoring his maiden century but never mind, there is always a next day!
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