IND vs ENG: Top five performers from the Test series
India finished the fourth Test against England by beating them by an innings and 25 runs. With this, India won the series 3-1 and qualified for the ICC World Test Championship Final to be played at Lord’s later this year. After losing the first Test, the hosts made a stunning comeback to win the next three Tests rather convincingly. Here are the top 5 performers of this series:
5. Joe Root (368 runs at 46.0 & 6 wickets)
The England captain started off the series with a 218 in Chennai, followed by a 40 in the second innings of that Test. However, in the next six innings of this series, Root could manage only 110 runs. Had he continued his form, England might have had a chance. Surprisingly, his bowling form came in the forefront when he picked up figures of 5 for 8 in the third Test, which was played with the pink ball. Under pressure at times, he captained England well, which is also one of the reasons his performance would be talked about.
4. Rohit Sharma (345 runs at 57.50)
Rohit Sharma played one of the series-changing innings in the second Test in Chennai. On a difficult wicket, his 161 was a big bonus for India and that knock would be remembered for more than one reason. He bailed India out in the third and fourth Tests as well getting some runs at the top order when others failed. He ends the series with a big daddy hundred, an impressive fifty and a much important, patient 49.
3. Rishabh Pant (270 runs at 54.0 & 8 catches, 5 stumpings)
Rishabh Pant played two crucial knocks in this series which led to an Indian win. The left-handed batsman showed once again how much he has matured during both those knocks. If his 59 in Chennai was important, then his 101 in Ahmedabad was the match-turning innings. His strike rate during the series was 84.11, which tells you about his dominance in a series where batsmen have struggled. Behind the stumps as well, he did a great job, considering these turning conditions were difficult to keep to.
2. Axar Patel (27 wickets at 10.59 & 55 runs at 13.75)
After watching Axar Patel bowl in this series, it is difficult to say that this was his debut series. It seemed like he has been playing Test cricket for a long time. He got better as the series progressed. His 11-wicket haul in the pink ball Test is probably one of the best bowling performances on Indian soil. With the bat as well, in the last Test, he showed why he is such a highly rated all-rounder. His Test career bowling average right now sits at a freakish 10.59.
1. Ravichandran Ashwin (32 wickets at 14.71 & 189 runs at 31.50)
The Tamil Nadu all-rounder well deservingly got the Man of the Series award for his tremendous performance. His century and eight-wicket haul in the second Chennai Test would be remembered for ages. Once again, he showed why he is considered one of the best in the modern game, showing all his tricks. His batting was also crucial at stages when India looked for some stability. Ashwin reached 400 Test wickets during the series, one more reason why this series will be remembered for him and by him.
