IND vs ENG: James Anderson and the over that broke India’s back

James Anderson ran in to bowl the 5675th over of his Test career. The 5th-day pitch of the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, was deteriorating. Spinners took precedence and Anderson had to wait for an hour to earn his opportunity on the final day. With the wearing SG ball in his hand, Anderson single-handedly turned the game in England’s favour within an over. But let’s rewind a bit first.

England dominated the first four days of the Test. In their attempt to leave India with no chances of getting back in the game, the visitors raised a target of 420 runs to get in about 103 overs. Despite the ordeal, India – energised by their recent heroics in Brisbane – set about the task positively. At the end of 26 overs, the home side was 92/2 with opener Shubman Gill batting on 50 of just 81 balls. He was joined by Virat Kohli and the Indian captain was 10 off 18, a positive start.

The fateful over

Anderson’s first ball to Shubman Gill was a fuller delivery aimed at the stumps. The youngster managed to defend it carefully and played it back along the ground. But the second one had his name on it. It started swinging in towards Gill once it left Anderson’s hand and continued unharmed towards its target. After pitching on a dusty spot, it thumped the middle of the off-stump before the batsman could block it. The off-stump went cartwheeling.

This is so satisfying to watch ?#INDvENG #JamesAnderson pic.twitter.com/Xp75eNDpCH

— Hina Khan (@cesthinakhan) February 9, 2021

Gill’s exit was countered by Ajinkya Rahane’s entry. The vice-captain had impressed the nation with his performances in Australia. Not only as a leader, but Rahane had also been solid with the bat. The fifth-day chase was the perfect opportunity for him to stitch a match-saving partnership with the current captain. But Anderson had other plans.

After Rahane negotiated the first ball safely, the second ball kept low and thudded into his pads. The umpire deemed it to be impacting outside the line of the stumps and the decision review system agreed with him. Anderson left nothing to chance on the next ball. Pulling his length back, the bowler delivered another reverse-swinging beauty to castle Rahane. Again, the off-stump went cartwheeling.

Left-hander Rishabh Pant defended the final ball of the over but the damage was done. From 92/2, India stuttered to 92/4 in the chase of 420 runs. Six overs later, Pant walked back after handing a simple catch to Joe Root off Anderson’s bowling. The game was in England’s bag. They won it by 227 runs.

…

At the age of 38, this series is likely to be Anderson’s final bowling stint in India. He is unlikely to feature in all four Tests with England’s rotation policy in place. The highest wicket-taker against India in Tests is still improving his immaculate record. Hounded by the claims of him being successful only in specific conditions, Anderson owned the most important day of the match with one lethal over. The over shall be etched in memory for long.