In the delayed fifth Test here on Tuesday, England defeated India by seven wickets thanks to hundreds from Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow and their highest-ever successful run chase in the longest format.
In the morning session of the fifth and final day, England overcame the 378-run mark with Root and Bairstow still undefeated on 142 and 114, respectively.
Due to COVID-19 cases in the Indian camp last year, the five-match Test series, which was carried over to this year, finished in a 2-2 draw thanks to England’s victory.
The previous three times, against New Zealand in their 3-0 home Test series victory last month, were 277, 299, and 296. This was the fourth time England successfully chased down a target of more over 250 in the fourth innings.
At 259 for 3 at the start of the day, England scored the necessary 119 runs in 19.4 overs.
Root’s 173-ball innings featured 19 fours and one six, while Bairstow’s 145-ball innings featured 15 boundaries and one over the ropes. Bairstow had previously scored 106 off 140 balls in England’s opening innings, making this his second century of the game.
On a stellar batting day, the pair hit a century and put on an unbeaten partnership worth 269 runs for the fourth wicket to give England a history win over India. Despite England making inroads during the morning session, India seized early command of the action because to Rishabh Pant’s half-century on day 4.
The Indian wicket-keeper batsman also scored a remarkable century in the first innings giving the Men in Blues early command in the Test match. However, in response England’s opening pair put on a strong 107 runs stand and turned the table in England’s favour.
India was unable to control the game as England completes a history chase
India needed intervention from Bumrah himself to stop the game from slipping away very quickly. He came in right at the conclusion of the second session (Day 4) and dispatched Crawley with a nip backer.
It gave India some late momentum in a game that had previously been mainly deflating. Ollie Pope was hauled off on the first ball of the final session thanks to Bumrah, who continued to be brilliant after the break.
When England lost Lees to a run-out shortly after due to Joe Root’s poor call for a run, the tide appeared to be changing once more. It put a stop to Lees’ impressive knock at 56 and provided India a chance to take back control of the game.
In order to slow down England’s scoring rate, India successfully used Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root to pad balls away. However, the England pair continued to exert pressure on Siraj and Shardul, thus India still wasn’t able to maintain bowling control for an extended amount of time.
Thus, the game was done and dusted on the fourth day itself and it was just a matter of time before England completes its history run chase.
The only Indian bowler to claim a wicket in England’s second innings was captain Jasprit Bumrah (2/74) as the Indian bowlers worked valiantly throughout the whole morning session. He had five wickets when the game was over.
The first innings of England saw four wickets taken by Mohammed Siraj.
In a nutshell, England defeated India 416 & 245 by seven wickets with 284 & 378/3 in 76.4 overs (Joe Root 142 not out, Jonny Bairstow 114 not out, Alex Lees 56; Jasprit Bumrah 2/74).