India close in on series victory against England after spinners wreak havoc in Ranchi

25.02.2024 - 14:13 thenationalnews.com

India are closing in on a fourth Test and series victory over England after the home side's spinners wreaked havoc on Day 4 in Ranchi.

It looked like England were in a strong position to take control of the Test and potentially level the five-match series at the start of the day but a battling 90 from Dhruv Jurel helped drag India to 307 all out at the JSCA International Stadium Complex.

It gave Ben Stokes' side a first-innings lead of 46, smaller than they would have expected at the end of Day 2 when India were seven wickets down and still trailing by 134 runs.

But any advantage England might have had disappeared when they were then bowled out for just 145 as Ravichandran Ashwin (5-51) and Kuldeep Yadav (4-22) ripped through their battling line-up.

bowling India Cricket Testing Ball on Rohit Sharma International England Cricket India

Rohit Sharma's captaincy was rather understated vis-a-vis Ben Stokes' on-the-edge methods, but India head coach Rahul Dravid was delighted to see the players identify themselves with the Mumbaikar's leadership principles. Under Rohit, India never made tall claims even once but silently and categorically nullified the visitors' much-talked-about 'Bazball' and grabbed the five-match series 4-1. "I'm privileged to work with a lovely team. I'm learning from them all the time. Rohit has been fantastic to work with. I think he's a terrific leader, and the guys gravitate towards him phenomenally, which is fantastic to see," said Dravid told broadcasters after the match.

India v England Test series ratings: Rohit 9, Jaiswal 10; Stokes 4, Bashir 7

India completed an emphatic 4-1 Test series triumph over England in Dharamsala on Saturday, wrapping up victory by an innings and 64 runs.

Ashwin wrecks England in Dharamsala, India win series 4-1

DHARAMSALA, India :India bulldozed England by an innings and 64 runs inside three days of the final test on Saturday to complete a 4-1 series victory at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association stadium.

"I Will Retire Straightaway If...": Rohit Sharma's Big Claim On Test Career After Series Win vs England

It was a proud moment for the Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team as it finished the five-match series against England by a 4-1 margin. India finished the final Test in less than three days with an innings win over the Ben Stokes-led visitors. Courtesy the win, India have consolidated their position in the World Test Championship points table. After the win, India have increased their lead at the top. They now have 68.51 point percentage (six wins in 9 games). England's point percentage has reduced to 17.5. The other teams are where they were.

Devdutt Padikkal Reveals How 'Words' From Dravid 'Helped' Him Score Debut Test Fifty Against England

Winning wholesome praise from pundits and fans after coming up with a polished hand in his debut inning in the ongoing fifth Test against England, Devdutt Padikkal on Friday revealed the golden word of advice he received from head coach Rahul Dravid after he received his India cap from veteran Ravi Ashwin on Day 1. The elegant southpaw, who managed to translate his form for Karnataka this Ranji season into runs in his debut Test, said the words of encouragement he received from coach Dravid after earning his India Test cap helped him to construct a neat and nerveless debut fifty on Day 2 of the Dharamshala Test. Making an impression with his composed demeanour, combined with the lazy elegance of a southpaw, Padikkal stroked a fine 65 off 103 deliveries, an innings studded with 10 four and a six.

Watch: Ben Stokes Clean-Bowls Rohit Sharma On First Ball Of Series, Leaves England Team In Disbelief

As Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill piled up their respective centuries on Day 2 of the 5th Test in Dharamsala, England captain Ben Stokes took the matter into his own hands, bowling for the first time in the series. Rohit and Gill looked in absolute control in the first session which was dominated by India. At the lunch break, Stokes was seen warming up with the ball, sending a signal that he could bowl soon. The England captain bowled the second over after Lunch and clean-bowled Rohit on the very first delivery.