Ahmedabad: Indian spinners waved their magic wand against a lackluster England to win the fourth Test by an innings and 25 runs sealing the series 3-1 in Ahmedabad on Saturday (March 6).
With this win, India also booked their spot in the World Test Championship final versus New Zealand on June 17 at Lord’s. The two youngsters Rishabh Pant (101) and Washington Sundar (96 not out) were pivotal setting up the win for India after the hosts bowled the visitors out for a mere 205 in their first innings.
Axar Patel (5/48) and Ravichandran Ashwin (5/47) then ran havoc at the Narendra Modi Stadium sending the entire visitors’ batting line-up home for 135 in the second innings. Earlier, the Indians resumed the day on overnight 294/7, with the pair of Axar and Sundar continuing their free-flowing strokeplay.
The put on a valuable 106 runs for the eighth wicket before Axar run out on 43 amidst a mix-up in the middle. Sundar, unbeaten on 96 off 174 deliveries, was denied a deserving hundred after playing such a gritty knock as India got all-out for 365 while taking a healthy lead of 160 runs.
Ben Stokes was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors with 4/89 with James Anderson (3/44) giving him good support. However, their spinners left stranded after being taken to cleaners by the Indian batsmen.
In reply, the visitors failed to showcase any sort of grit, temperament or technique playing the Indian spinners. Ashwin initiated England’s landslide in the second innings dismissing Zak Crawley and Johnny Bairstow in his very first over before Axar joined him in the party. Even skipper Joe Roo (30) misjudged Ashwin’s delivery trapping himself plumb in front.
Daniel Lawrence who played a good knock in the first innings was again the one who showcased his heart in battling the Indian bowling scoring a fighting 50 off 95 balls. Ashwin bowled him out as the last wicket to seal the deal for the Men in Blue.
Pant was adjudged the man of the match for his sumptuous batting display while Ashwin took the man of the series award for his exquisite bowling. Both the side as will play five T20Is at the same venue, starting March 12.
