- After the sound thrashing in the first Test of the series in Chennai, Team India is on a definite roll winning the subsequent two Tests quite comfortably. Yesterday’s resounding ten wickets victory at Ahmedabad’s newly refurbished Narendra Modi Stadium against the visiting England team not only appeared as a cakewalk but also stamped its authority with more than three days to spare. Though the Indian cricket supporters would be left with a feeling of yearning for a more engaging contest on the field, Team India would not mind one bit to go ahead in the three-match series with an unassailable lead of 2-1 with one more remaining to be played at the same venue.
PC: rediff
- In the backdrop of a mammoth and sprawling stadium with a seating capacity of mind-boggling 1,32,000 amidst an electrifying atmosphere as 50 % of the spectators could witness the match, a keen contest between the two equally competent teams was on the cards satiating the craving of cricket starved fans. Of course, the partisan crowd was expected to root for the home team where apart from going two up in the series would also ensure one step nearer to playing in the ensuing World Test Championship match at Lords in England later in the year. As usual, quality or lack of quality of the pitches is in the news right from Chennai that continued in Ahmedabad too.
- Every expert, amateurs, ex-players, and current players worth their salt had an opinion to share about the pitches being laid out. The same continued leading up to the third Test as well and it was a given that the track would be a rank turner suiting the home team’s strengths. As it turned out, the track did have a huge role to play in ensuring the five-day Test is curtailed abruptly within two days and in such a dramatic fashion. After winning the toss, England had no hesitation to opt for batting but was skittled out for a mere 112 in the first innings. Except for opener Zak Crawley scoring a compact fifty, none of the English batsmen could muster decent scores.
PC: telugu
- Left-arm spinner Axar Patel accounted for six wickets, ably supported by Ravi Ashwin with three wickets. The Indian response was equally below par scoring only 145 on the back of an entertaining fifty from the opener Rohit Sharma. Skipper Joe Root took fifer with his innocuous off-spin. What turned out later is extremely bizarre when England was bundled out for a paltry 81 in the second essay leaving India with 49 to score which was accomplished without losing any wicket in the second innings. Again, Axar Patel shone with the ball taking fifer as did Ashwin with four wickets. Great win to Team India increasingly looking invincible rendering the contests one-sided.
