- The ongoing five-match cricket Test series between India and England has been fascinating and absorbing right from the first ball is stating the obvious. As true cricket lovers and connoisseurs know, Team India is being led by the young and competent Shubman Gill, interspersed with a few experienced campaigners like Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah. Team England led the series 2-1 before stepping onto the historical Manchester ground for the fourth Test. Yet again, Team India proved to the cricketing world that it is not a pushover entity but would fight tooth and nail by competing adroitly when the chips are down. Remember how Team India came back astoundingly to win the Edgbaston Test by a massive 336 runs, fighting against all odds.
PC: ETV Bharat
- Team India were in a winning position in the third Test at Lord’s but failed to cross the finishing line by a mere 22 runs. Thus, the focus shifted to the fourth Test at Manchester with England just a win away from sealing the series. What occurred in the fourth Test is a classic contest between the bat and the ball, which is the sole preserve of the longer format, dishing out mouth-watering stuff for the true patrons of the game. Team India scored 358 in the first innings and England replied with a massive 669, leading the visitors by a huge 311 runs. Now what followed subsequently is a true demonstration of grit, determination, and resilience by the Indian batters, playing out five sessions successfully to thwart the English attack, aiming for the series win.
PC: Cricket Australia
- The hosts were served fabulously by the ever-consistent and aiming for the very top Joe Root, scoring a sublime 150 runs. Openers Zak Crawley (84) and Ben Duckett (94) scored entertaining half-centuries and were blistering in their run scoring, putting up a huge first-wicket partnership. One drop, Ollie Pope (71), too, scored an entertaining half-century. Captain Ben Stokes hit an equally attractive 141. It must be mentioned that Indian bowlers were below par, allowing the English batters to pile on a mountain of runs. When Team India lost two wickets for nothing in the very first over of the second innings, the visitors appeared to be on a slippery slope going into the final day. But what ensued subsequently must rank as a great fightback from Team India.
PC: Hindustan Times
- Opener KL Rahul scored a fighting 90. Captain Shubman Gill, a classy 103 – his fourth ton in the series – showcased how he has transformed as a batter in England after assuming the mantle of skipper. However, the defining partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar must be aptly termed as one of the most riveting of the series. Both spinning all-rounders scored resolute centuries, bailing out the team from a series loss. Jadeja has been in phenomenal batting form right through the series. Washy Sundar scored a maiden hundred under testing conditions. Yes, a special mention about Rishabh Pant for batting with a broken toe to score a gritty half-century is apt. The series decider at the Oval will be eagerly anticipated. Well done, Team India!
