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Indian Test cricket and day fives. It's been a stellar run this year and it just keeps getting better, doesn't it? With a flat track at the Oval, 10 wickets seemed like it was going to be a hard toil for the Indian bowlers. However, when you've got such a formidable bowling unit and the lord on your side (pun intended), things can happen in a blink of an eye. As complete a team performance you would see. This Indian team yet again proved that they are at their most dangerous when their backs are against the wall. Silencing their critics and having justifying their selections with their performances on the field.
So, India take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series as we head to Manchester in a few days. It's a big week coming up in the city, isn't it? Old Trafford will be a buzzing all week, with lots to look forward to on both grounds. We'll be right here to bring you all the action from the final Test as well. Until then, this is Pratyush, signing off on behalf of my co-commentators, Bala, Shashwat, Anurag and the rest of the team. Thank you for joining us, goodnight!
Rohit Sharma: I wanted to be on the field but getting that 100 was special. Being 100 behind, we knew as a batting group how important it was to score 470-odd and give them a target of 370. A great effort from the batting unit, it was important for us to take a step forward. It's my first overseas hundred, so obviously my best one. The three-figure mark wasn't in my mind, we knew the pressure on the batting unit, but we just kept our heads down and played the situation. That wasn't something that was preying on my mind, I don't think about all those things. Just try to get the team into a good position with 30, or 80, or 150-plus, however I can. I used to bat middle-order, but I know the importance of opening and how you've got to make your starts count. It's important to embrace the challenge. We knew it wasn't going to be easy, back in Durham we had time to look at our training and technique. We had 20-25 days after the WTC and that was a game-changer. You could see the results. As a batting unit, we've done well as we've been challenged, especially at Leeds, but that can happen. The message from the physio is to take it by the minute and keep assessing it but it looks good so far.
Joe Root: It's frustrating not to get something from the game today. We felt we had an opportunity to win after that opening stand, but credit to India. They got the ball to reverse and that was the turning point. We could have made more of a first-innings lead, make that 99 runs into something around 200. You have to make chances count against world-class players. You've got to find ways to get better but be realistic but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and realise that was world-class bowling. Going forward, it might reverse at OT, so we'll have to manage it better. Whenever you lose the game you can look at the toss, but we've got to be more ruthless, and make that lead of a 100 into a 200-run lead. We've got to be clinical and not get too comfortable. Make big partnerships and convert our starts to make them into big ones. We have played good cricket and important to remember that. You can't point at individual dismissals, its a collective responsibility.
Virat Kohli: The character that the side has shown, to come back from 100 run deficit showed that we were not down and out. I said at Lord's as well, I am proud of the character, among the top three bowling performances I have witnessed as India captain.
(On the pitch) It's relative what you call flat, the field wasn't wet like the first three days, the ball got scuffed up nicely, got one side heavier, and exploited reverse swing perfectly. We believed as a team that we could get all ten wickets.
(On Jasprit Bumrah) 27 runs off 22 overs on this kind of pitch, a huge effort. When it started reversing he just said, "give me the ball".
(On Shardul Thakur) Rohit's innings was outstanding, but the impact performance from the lower-middle order! Shardul's fifty was the difference. And a counterattack in the second innings. (England were) Looking to restrict us but he was outstanding.
We never get towards statistics. We know what we focus on. We take a call on what feels best and we believe we can win Tests with it. Whatever the noise on the outset, it doesn't bother us.
(On Ravi Shastri and back-room staff) (It is) Unfortunate they aren't here, but they just called us. It's a real momentum boost. We are looking forward to opportunities to step on the field for India.
After dimissing India for 191 in the first innings, England failed to make the most of a flat deck at the Oval. A lead of 99 for the hosts seemed like a solid one at one stage but how about that for a fightback from the Indians? Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul got off to a steady start, as they have for most of this series. Sharma went on to finally convert one into a ton, his first outside India and set the tone for a fightback for the ages.
His 153-run partnership alongside Cheteshwar Pujara played a crucial role. Kohli's glimpses of his old self instilled some belief in his side, but it was Shardul Thakur and Rishabh Pant's 100-run stand that really turned the tide in India's favour. Thakur, undoubtedly one of the star performers of this Test. Two half-centuries in both innings with some flamboyance in his stroke play as well, and he didn't just do his talking with the bat.
After Hameed and Burns eased to an opening partnership of 100, Shardul Thakur opened the door for India, dismissing Burns after he completed his half-century. Despite his 63, Hameed always looked uncertain throughout his stay but was involved in a run out with Malan, which really gave India the impetus they needed. With 8 wickets needed in the final two sessions, England were determined on shutting shop.
On a flat surface which didn't offer much, that seemed like the sensible thing to do. One thing they didn't account for though, was a memorable Jasprit Bumrah spell. From 141-2, to being bundled up for 210, England's batting woes seem like a glaring weakness once again. It was the second time they were bowled out in the final day of the series, which will give India a massive psychological boost ahead of the fifth Test.
69-8 today, courtesy some scorchers from Bumrah and Umesh as they extracted some reverse swing to which the England batsmen had no answers. Jadeja exploited the rough outside the left-handers off-stump as well, reaping the rewards of his team management backing him to do so. Shardul inevitably managed to find key breakthroughs and got the most important wicket of Root.
Drop chances and a vulnerable middle order will be a huge cause of concern for the hosts. Six to eight chances dropped in the slips, another batting collapse and some worn out bowlers ahead of the final Test, doesn't paint a pretty picture. Root couldn't bail the batting order out this time, nor could Anderson inspire with the pitch not offering much. A lot to ponder on for England, if they want to avoid surrending the Pataudi.
What an incredible performance from India! Kohli's pumped and Shardul Thakur gets one of those big bear hugs from his skipper. All smiles for the Indian dugout but its a contrary story in the English camp. They were in charge of this Test on Day one but have inexplicably let India back into this one. Oh, and haven't the Indians made them pay? Tons of credit to the Indian dug out. They've been questioned on so many instances but have let their performances do the talking. Kohli's captaincy has been a huge plus. So has the emergence of Thakur. Rohit led the fightback with his century and it was Bumrah's magical spell in the penultimate session to turn the tide. A complete team performance, if there ever was one. Lots of pluses for India as they take a 2-1 lead in the series. Stick around for the post match bits!
Kohli was off and celebrating but he's just got to hold his horses here. Or does he? NO!! Ultraedge shows that Anderson's got a feather on it and that will be that!
92.2 Umesh Yadav to James Anderson, OUT! Or is it? Anderson REVIEWS straightaway. Shortish delivery outside the off-stump. Anderson fends at it and the ball goes past the outside edge. Virat Kohli starts celebrating almost instantaneously.
Yes. There is a spike in the UltraEdge. India win! What a match! What a day to seal it off. Magnificent performance from the Indian team and their fast bowlers
92.1 Umesh Yadav to James Anderson, back of a length delivery at the body. Anderson defends it on the on-side
The bouncer barrage continues from the Indian pacers, looking for the odd full one to catch the batters stuck in their crease. Robinson's done well to negotiate everything that's come his way so far. Perhaps time for Kohli to go back to Jadeja?
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J Root
J Bumrah
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Kennington Oval, London
