4th Test: Rohit, Bumrah lead the way as rampant India go 2-1 up with massive win against England at Oval | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

4th Test: Rohit, Bumrah lead the way as rampant India go 2-1 up with massive win against England at Oval

By, New Delhi
Sep 06, 2021 09:50 PM IST

India beat England by 157 runs at the Oval to take a 2-1 lead and set up a thrilling series finale at Old Trafford.

Heading into the final day of the Oval Test – two numbers held utmost significance. 291 – the number of runs England needed to pull off the record highest chase at the venue, and 10 – the wickets India needed to capture back the lead they had attained at Lord's.

India celebrate the wicket of Chris Woakes in the last over before tea. (Getty)
India celebrate the wicket of Chris Woakes in the last over before tea. (Getty)

Given the nature of the pitch on offer – as flat as a roller – any of the three results were possible, but in the end, it was India, who through their bowlers, made the ball jump and nip around and dismiss England for 210 to win the match by 157 runs. Umesh Yadav picked up three wickets to go with his three in the first innings, supported well by Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Also Read | India vs England Highlights, 4th Test, Day 5

England, who had reached 77/0 safely at stumps on Day 4, needed their batsmen to carry on, and as play resumed on the final day, it seemed to be the case with openers Rory Burns and Haseeb Hammed hitting half-centuries. But the moment their 100-run partnership was broken, the wheels came off. 

From losing two wickets in the opening session, Jadeja, Bumrah, Umesh and Thakur derailed England with six wickets between lunch and tea. And as play entered the final session, it was only a matter of time.

Shortly after Burns got to his fifty, he edged Thakur for the first England wicket of the day. India did not have to wait for a second wicket with Dawid Malan getting run out by a strong throw from substitute Mayank Agarwal, as the batsman scampered for a risky run. India could have had England three down before lunch had Mohammed Siraj not dropped a sitter of Hameed at mid-on, but the missed chance did not hurt the team much. Shortly into the second session, Jadeja produced a stunning ball, cleaning up Hameed by beating his defence.

Also Read | Jasprit Bumrah breaks legend Kapil Dev's record with 100th Test wicket

That's when the wheels came off. Bumrah got two wickets in two overs, with his reverse-swinging yorkers cleaning up Ollie Pope for 2 and Jonny Bairstow for a duck. Joining Bairstow for England's second duck of the innings was their vice-captain Moeen Ali, with Jadeja picking up his second. The deal-breaker came when Root departed.

If Bumrah and Jadeja had set the platform, up stepped Umesh to clean up the tail. Chris Woakes and Craig Overton were sent back at either end of the tea break, before Anderson nicked to Pant and sent India into a frenzy.

It weren't only the bowlers who set up India's handsome win after the defeat at Headingley not too long ago. Despite England gaining a 99-run first-innings lead, India's batsmen responded strongly. Rohit Sharma led the way with his maiden overseas Test century, supported ably by half-centuries from Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant.

And of course, not to forget Shardul Thakur's twin fifties in the match, which in the first innings lifted India to 191, and in the second, ensure the advantage given by their top-order did not get wasted.

Stay updated with the latest Cricket News, IPL Live Scores, and get exclusive insights with the RR vs DC Live Score, IPL 2024 Schedule, match highlights, and more. Explore a comprehensive Cricket Schedule, track the race for the Purple Cap and Orange Cap in IPL 2024, check Virat Kohli performance and stay ahead with all the cricket-related updates on the Hindustan Times website and app.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On