India took an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series with a hard-fought five-wicket win in the fourth Test in Ranchi.
Resisting England’s spirited fightback, India secured a five-wicket victory in the fourth Test and claimed the series.
Currently occupying the second spot, India’s point percentage jumped from 59.52 to 64.58 after their five-wicket win to further extend the gap from Australia (55%) and Bangladesh (50%). England, on the other hand, languished at eighth with 19.44%, just a spot off the bottom from Sri Lanka, who are yet to open their account.
It was a tug of war on the fourth day of the Test but in the end, the partnership of Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Like most of the series, the fourth Test between India and England was a topsy-turvy affair. Debutant Akash Deep blew England away early on Day 1 before Joe Root, ditching the Bazball approach, held the fort with his 31st Test century and propelled the team to 353.
In reply, Shoaib Bashir’s brilliant spell had India on the ropes but Dhruv Jurel, in only his second Test, displayed the temperament of a veteran by scoring a gritty 90. He formed crucial partnerships with the lower order, bringing India within 46 runs of England’s first-innings total.
As the pitch exhibited unpredictable bounce and spin, India entrusted the opening bowling duties to Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Ashwin claimed early wickets and secured his 35th five-wicket haul, matching Anil Kumble’s record for the most five-wicket hauls by an Indian in Test cricket. Kuldeep Yadav also impressed, contributing to England’s collapse for 145 runs and setting India a target of 192.
The positive start by Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal on Day 3 continued into Day 4, with India reaching 84/0. However, England’s spinners staged a comeback, taking three wickets in 10 overs, including the dismissal of the well-set openers.
After lunch, Shoaib Bashir further tilted the game in England’s favour by dismissing Ravindra Jadeja and Sarfaraz Khan in consecutive balls with India still needing 72 runs for victory.
Jurel, the standout performer in India’s first innings, displayed remarkable resilience once again, teaming up with Gill to steer the hosts towards victory through intelligent and risk-free cricket.
As the duo forged a 50-run partnership, India edged closer to the target and Gill smashed two sixes in an over off Bashir to put the game beyond England. Jurel deservedly hit the winning runs as India clinched the series 3-1.
The ongoing series has been fiercely contested between the two teams, with England initially gaining the upper hand by securing a rare victory over India in Hyderabad. However, the hosts mounted a strong comeback with convincing wins in Vizag and Rajkot, before ultimately sealing the series in Ranchi.
The final Test is set to be played from 7 to 11 March in Dharamsala.
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