England’s tour of India concluded on a dismal note as feeble top-order batting led to a resounding defeat within three days in the fifth Test at Dharamsala.
Requiring 259 to make India bat again, England faltered, getting bundled out for 195, resulting in an innings and 64-run loss and a 4-1 series victory for India.
Joe Root’s resilient 84 was a silver lining, steering the team to 113-6 before the inevitable end. Despite James Anderson’s milestone morning achievement, becoming the first pace bowler to reach 700 Test wickets, India’s total reached 477, with Shoaib Bashir claiming his second five-wicket haul of the series.
Ravichandran Ashwin, celebrating his 100th Test, took a captivating 5-77 as England crumbled, succumbing to poor strokes. Root fought valiantly, but couldn’t avert a lopsided defeat within eight sessions, marking England’s seventh loss in 12 Tests. The series defeat under captain Ben Stokes concludes a challenging winter across formats for England.
A markedly different England squad will shift focus to defending the T20 World Cup in June, with the upcoming Test scheduled against West Indies at Lord’s in July.
England’s Unraveling Leads to Disheartening Defeat
This series held great promise for England, especially after their remarkable triumph in the first Test in Hyderabad. However, it has gradually disintegrated into their worst performance of the tour.
India poses a formidable challenge for visiting teams, securing their 17th consecutive home win, a streak dating back to 2012. While a 4-1 series win for the hosts would have seemed reasonable at the series’ outset, the frustration for England arises from missed opportunities in the second, third, and fourth Tests.
Despite some mitigating factors such as Harry Brook’s absence for the entire series and Jack Leach featuring in only one Test, England will emphasize progress, highlighting the positive emergence of young spinners Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley.
However, England’s batting has steadily deteriorated, culminating in this disappointing finale. Decisions loom regarding the futures of Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes, while the pace bowling unit requires reinforcement for the upcoming home summer.
Midway through a likely four-year stint under Captain Stokes and Coach Brendon McCullum, England’s commitment to entertaining cricket must now be complemented with consistent results.
Batting Woes Overshadow Anderson’s Milestone
At 41, Anderson stands as a stalwart in English cricket and British sports. His gradual approach to the remarkable feat of 700 wickets reached a crescendo in a picturesque setting, with the sun reflecting off the snow-capped Himalayan mountains.
Kuldeep’s edge was prodded, and wicketkeeper Foakes secured the catch, prompting Anderson to celebrate by waving the ball to the appreciative crowd. After Bashir had Jasprit Bumrah stumped by Foakes, England had a chance to conclude the tour with a positive batting display.
However, their attempt at aggression proved ill-judged, resulting in an implosion. Duckett and Pope faced scrutiny for their playing styles, with Duckett charging Ashwin’s fifth ball only to be bowled, and Pope top-edging a reckless sweep. Crawley, in between, provided catching practice for leg slip.
Bairstow, in his 100th Test, smashed Ashwin for three sixes but fell victim to Kuldeep’s sharp turn. Stokes’ struggles continued as Ashwin went through him, while Foakes was bowled attempting an uncharacteristic slog sweep, providing Ashwin his fifth wicket.
Root, displaying trust in defense lacking in his teammates, dug in. His disappointing tour, with only one fifty-plus score before this, concluded with the former captain imparting a lesson in patience, shot selection, and adaptability to the England squad.
Root partnered with Hartley for 28 runs and added 48 more with the determined Bashir. Root was on 78 when joined by last-man Anderson, eventually holing out to Kuldeep in pursuit of a century.
India’s Dominance Rooted in Bowling Brilliance
While England can lament the absence of key players, India has showcased supremacy in the series without the services of Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, and Rishabh Pant. KL Rahul featured only in the first Test, missing the remainder due to injury.
The emergence of batters Yashasvi Jasiwal, Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz Khan, and wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel has added a fresh dimension. Even on the final day, captain Rohit Sharma, nursing a back injury, entrusted the charge to Bumrah.
Despite the rejuvenated batting lineup, it is India’s seasoned and skillful bowlers who systematically dismantled England. Earlier in the series, Bumrah’s reverse swing posed challenges, while Kuldeep’s five-wicket haul in the first innings and Ashwin’s masterful performance in the second left an indelible mark.
Ashwin, wielding the new ball, wreaked havoc, securing his 36th five-wicket haul in Tests—an Indian bowler record. He exploited the vulnerabilities in Duckett and Pope’s techniques and set a trap for Crawley. Having dismissed Stokes more times than any other bowler in Tests, Ashwin bowled the captain on the stroke of lunch, quashing any hopes of India batting again.
Bumrah claimed Hartley lbw for 20, marking India’s 17th wicket of the match but the first not taken by a spinner. In the same over, Mark Wood fell leg before to a toe-crushing yorker, completing a pair.
Bashir frustrated India until Ravindra Jadeja got one to scuttle through, and Root’s attempt to loft down the ground concluded the match before tea on day three.
India’s Bowling Brilliance Sparks Dominance
While England grapples with the absence of key players, India has asserted its dominance in the series without Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, and Rishabh Pant. KL Rahul’s early exit after the first Test due to injury further challenged the squad.
The rise of batters Yashasvi Jasiwal, Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz Khan, and wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel has injected a fresh dimension. Even on the final day, captain Rohit Sharma, nursing a back injury, delegated leadership responsibilities to Bumrah.
Despite the reinvigorated batting lineup, it’s India’s seasoned and skillful bowlers who systematically dismantled England. Bumrah’s earlier displays of reverse swing posed challenges, while Kuldeep’s five-wicket haul in the first innings and Ashwin’s masterful performance in the second left an enduring impact.
Ashwin, wielding the new ball, wreaked havoc, securing his 36th five-wicket haul in Tests—a record for an Indian bowler. He exploited the vulnerabilities in Duckett and Pope’s techniques and set a trap for Crawley. Dismissing Stokes more times than any other bowler in Tests, Ashwin bowled the captain on the stroke of lunch, extinguishing any hopes of India batting again.
Bumrah dismissed Hartley lbw for 20, marking India’s 17th wicket of the match but the first not taken by a spinner. In the same over, Mark Wood fell leg before to a toe-crushing yorker, completing a pair.
Bashir frustrated India until Ravindra Jadeja got one to scuttle through, and Root’s attempt to loft down the ground concluded the match before tea on day three.
