ENG vs IND: 4th Test – Gutsy India conquer The Oval to go 2-1 up

After being humiliated at the hands of the Englishmen at Headingley, a courageous Team India bounced back to claim victory at The Oval. Despite being bundled out for 191 in their first innings, the visitors registered a thumping 157-run win in the 4th Test on the final day. India have now taken a 2-1 lead in the five-Test series, with one match to go.

How it started

England captain Joe Root won the toss on Day 1 and elected to field first. His decision seemed on point after the hosts bundled out India cheaply. That score came on the back of fifties from Virat Kohli and Shardul Thakur. England themselves were struggling at 62/5 at one point in their innings, but local boy Ollie Pope’s 81 and a fine fifty on comeback by Chris Woakes, following up from his four-wicket haul, helped England to recover and reach 290.

With a deficit of 99 runs, India set out to bat England out of the game as the pitch flattened on Day 3. Rohit Sharma’s 127 and Cheteshwar Pujara’s 61 along with KL Rahul’s 46 laid a brilliant foundation. Kohli made 44 while Rishabh Pant scored his first fifty of the series. Thakur scored 60, his second fifty of the match as India’s score sky rocketed to 466.

How it ended

England started their run-chase brilliantly with an opening stand of 100 runs, which was broken when Rory Burns fell right after reaching his fifty. Haseeb Hameed batted well for his 63. But in the post-lunch session, India got 4 wickets for 6 runs, and it turned the tide in India’s favour. Later in the same session, Root was once again clean bowled and Woakes fell at the stroke of Tea. India came into the final session to wrap up England’s tail, winning the match by 157 runs. Umesh Yadav picked up the last wicket, his sixth in the Test, most by any Indian bowler.

Top performers

Shardul Thakur: There was a lot of debate around his selection ahead of R Ashwin but Thakur justified his selection. His 57 off 36 balls in the first innings provided India with a respectable total while his 60 in the second gave India a shot at winning the Test. He also picked up key wickets, removing Pope in the first innings and later, Burns and Root in the second innings.

Rohit Sharma: After missing out on two potential centuries in the earlier Tests, Rohit Sharma made the most of his third one by scoring his maiden overseas Test ton. In tough conditions on Day 3 facing a quality English bowling attack, Rohit kept his head up and played positive cricket. His 127 came at the right time after India were 99 runs behind in the first innings.

A special record for @Jaspritbumrah93👏

He is now the fastest 🇮🇳 pacer to take 100 Test wickets, breaking @therealkapildev‘s record!#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/5uFzT3iAFx

— 100MB (@100MasterBlastr) September 6, 2021

Jasprit Bumrah: As India came out to bowl in the first innings, they were defending 191 and needed a good start. Bumrah got two wickets early to give India just the breakthrough they needed. In the second innings, on a dying Day 5 pitch, Bumrah got the ball talking, getting a bit of reverse swing to get Pope and Bairstow in quick succession with his castling deliveries.

Personal achievements/records

• Shardul Thakur’s first-innings fifty was the fastest (31 balls) in England in all Tests, beating the record of Ian Botham
• Jasprit Bumrah reached 100 wickets in Test cricket in his 24th match, making him the quickest Indian to do so
• Thakur became the 3rd Indian with two fifty-plus scores in the same Test batting at No.8
• Rohit Sharma scored his first overseas Test hundred, his eighth overall

The fifth and the final Test will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester from September 10 to 14.