Team India secured an extraordinary victory over England, culminating in a spectacular series win marked by an impressive comeback during the fourth Test in Ranchi on Monday, February 26. The team found itself in a precarious position, trailing for a few sessions until the second day. It was the tenacity and skillful batting of Dhruv Jurel that spurred a stunning turnaround, enabling India to narrow the gap to a mere 46 runs. This set the stage for Indian bowlers to shine, as they successfully dismissed England for a paltry 145 runs, with Day 3 serving as a pivotal moment in the match and tilting the scales significantly in India’s favor.
As Day 4 unfolded, it was up to the Indian batsmen to lead their team to victory. Despite a strong challenge from England, which saw India’s comfortable start at 84/0 slip to a worrying 120/5, Jurel once again came to the forefront. Together with Shubman Gill, who emerged as a crucial batsman, they forged an unbroken partnership of 72 runs. This partnership proved critical in securing a five-wicket win that handed India an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the five-match series with just one game remaining in Dharamsala.
Virat Kohli, the former Indian captain who had been absent from the series due to personal reasons, could hardly contain his excitement following the team’s triumph. He took to Twitter, celebrating the victory and the young team’s display of guts, determination, and resilience.
This series has seen outstanding performances from India’s younger players, who stepped up in the absence of seasoned cricketers like Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Shami, and KL Rahul. Newcomer Akash Deep with his impressive bowling in the first innings, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jurel with the bat, not to mention Kuldeep Yadav’s spin wizardry in the second innings all contributed to India’s success. Jurel’s consistency with the bat, complemented by Gill’s maturity, encapsulated India’s achievements throughout the series.
The impact of these performances was felt beyond the pitch. The victory put a dent in the exemplary Test record of England’s captain-coach duo, Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, and reinforced India’s position in the World Test Championship Points table.
With the final Test match set to commence in 10 days, both teams will relish a period of rest before they reconvene at the idyllic HPCA Stadium in the mountains for the series finale.
This series win is a testament to the depth of talent in Indian cricket, showcasing the successful integration of young players who can rise to the occasion when the stakes are high. As India celebrates this victory, spectators and enthusiasts alike are already eager to witness the final showdown and see if England can salvage some pride or if India can further embellish their already impressive series performance.
