A blend of exceptional individual performances and cohesive team effort led to a spectacular victory for India in the 5th and final Test of the series at the scenic Dharamsala ground. Spearheaded by milestone man Ravichandran Ashwin’s five-wicket haul and impressive centuries from Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, the Indian cricket team crushed England, throwing the much-hyped ‘Bazball’ approach into disarray. The hosts concluded the series with a magnificent 4-1 win, a historic feat last achieved 112 years ago.
As the match unfolded at the HPCA Stadium, England’s hopes to challenge the hosts on a pitch conducive to batting were quickly dashed. Despite reaching a promising score in the first innings, the reality soon set in that they were ill-prepared for the Indian bowlers’ onslaught.
The English side’s batting crumbled as they posted a forgettable 218 in their first innings. An initial flourish had England at a comfortable 100 for 1, but their temperate start proved to be a false dawn. An intense spell of Indian seam bowling undermined the visitor’s lineup, obliterating their chance at a commanding total.
Another batting disaster ensued in the second innings for England. The relentless pressure from the Indian bowlers was too much to handle as wickets toppled incessantly. Celebrating his 100th Test match, Ravichandran Ashwin dominated England, reducing them to a meager 113 for 6. Though Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery pace added two more wickets to India’s bag, it was Joe Root who held his ground with a spirited fifty, partnering with Shoaib Bashir to briefly resist. However, it was only a matter of time before Ravi Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav broke through, sealing the game for India.
England’s only solace arrived on day 3 with James Anderson’s 700th Test wicket, an imposing personal achievement within the broader narrative of England’s defeat. Subsequently, Shoaib Bashir notched up his second fifer of the series, wrapping India’s innings at 477 and leaving the hosts with a decisive lead of 259.
Earlier on, England appeared to have steadied the ship in their first innings with opener Crawley instilling a sense of stability. Alas, India’s Kuldeep Yadav stepped up at the crucial juncture, claiming one English wicket after another, romping to a fifer and leaving England at an unflattering 175 for 6. Then entered Ashwin, who swiftly cleaned up the remainder of the batting line-up, capturing four wickets and foreshadowing his later exploits.
The Indian batting display was a masterclass in resilience and aggression, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill hammering majestic centuries that laid the foundation for victory. The brilliance cascaded through India’s top order as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, and Sarfaraz Khan all surpassed the fifty-run mark, contributing to a daunting total that England found insurmountable.
With this conclusive Test match, Team India has documented a remarkable milestone in the annals of cricket history. Not since England’s recovery from a 1-0 deficit against Australia in the Ashes series of 1911/12 has a team clinched a five-match Test series with a 4-1 margin after an initial trailing position. This series triumph emphatically demonstrates India’s prowess in the longest format of the game and marks a significant moment for the home side, which boasted a synergistic blend of youthful zest and experienced stratagem.
Under the astute leadership of Rohit Sharma and with a team brimming with talent and determination, this series victory over England not only signifies a moment of glory but also establishes India as a formidable force in the world of Test cricket.
