On a challenging pitch that had plenty of bite and turn, India managed to clinch a series-deciding victory against England in the fourth Test at Ranchi, taking an unassailable lead of 3-1. On Monday, February 26, the host’s commendable chase was orchestrated by the young duo of Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel, who, along with Rohit Sharma’s determined half-century, weathered a storm to defeat the English side by five wickets.
The match, already gripping from its inception, saw India trailing behind after an extensive battle in the first innings. Dhruv Jurel, in merely his second Test appearance, demonstrated poise well beyond his experience, crafting a valiant 90 off 149 balls. His innings, adorned with six boundaries and four towering sixes, nearly saw him to a debut century, but nonetheless played a pivotal role in limiting the first innings deficit to a minimum.
England was unable to build on their advantage in their second outing at the crease, crumbling to the guile and finesse of India’s spinners. Ravichandran Ashwin led the charge with an outstanding 5/51, while Kuldeep Yadav supported superbly, pocketing a four-wicket haul, bundling out the visitors for a paltry 145.
The chase of 192 began briskly for India on the third day’s final session, racing to 40 without loss in eight overs. The following morning held promise for the home side as Rohit alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal pushed the scoreline further, easing any initial anxieties that come with a tense pursuit. However, in a dramatic shift of momentum, England’s bowlers staged a mighty resurgence, swiftly dislodging five Indian bats ready to flip the game on its head.
India’s scorecard, which once read a comfortable 84 for no wicket, quickly degenerated to a wobbly 120 for five. A potential defeat loomed as both Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan returned to the pavilion without troubling the scorers. The visitors sensed an opening and an opportunity to level the series. But the determination of the Indian team, as has so often been the case, shone through.
Faced with a deficit of 72 and only half their side remaining, India was in dire need of a partnership of resilience and nerve. The unflappable Shubman Gill partnered with the steadfast Jurel, and together they crafted an irrefutable response to England’s challenge. The pair stood undeterred, blunting the opposition attack with circumspection and judicious stroke play. Their alliance yielded an unbeaten 72-run stand for the sixth wicket that systematically dismantled the target and steered India to a memorable victory. Gill’s innings ended undefeated on 52, providing the backbone for the late flourish, while Jurel capped off his innings with a crucial 39 not out to take India home.
This triumph in Ranchi thus sets the stage for the final Test at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, starting on March 7. While India basks in the glory of their win, they will also be aware of the opportunity at hand to further assert their dominance with a potential 4-1 series closure.
Amidst stories of individual heroics and collective triumphs, this series win shall be remembered for the emergence of new stars and the resilience of a team that refuses to wilt under pressure. As England reflects on what could have been, India forges ahead, buoyed by the confidence of a side that continues to find new avenues of victory.
