India thrash England in 4th Test to seal series

Mumbai, Dec 12 (IANS) India thrashed England by an innings and 36 runs in the fourth Test here on Monday to claim an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

England were bowled out for 195 in the morning session of the fifth day, after resuming on the overnight 182/6 in their second innings, and still trailing by 49 runs.

Jonny Bairstow (51) was the first to get out in the morning, followed by Ben Stokes (18), Adil Rashid (2), James Anderson (2).

Star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin dismantled England, picking up 6-55 in the second innings to take 12 wickets in the match.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja returned figures of 2-63 while pacer Bhuvneshwah Kumar and rookie spinner Jayant Yadav claimed a wicket each.

India captain Virat Kohli, who scored a double century during India's first innings, was adjudged the Man of the Match.

Kohli scored 235 runs, his third double century of the year.

With in-form rookie Jayant Yadav scoring 104 at the other end, the duo put together a partnership of 241 runs to help the hosts amass a formidable first innings score of 631 runs.

India coach Anil Kumble praised his wards and asserted that the current batch of players are among the best to represent the country over the years.

"You cannot really compare with the teams of the past. Those were different eras and different teams. But this team certainly is the number one team in the world today and has the potential to be the best ever Test team in terms of results," Kumble said at the end of the match.

"They have done well over the last couple of years. The team is exceptional in terms of the intensity that they have showed on the field and in terms of situational awareness. They are coming out of difficult situations in this series and also in teh series against New Zealand.

"Everyone has contributed to the team's success. That is the beauty about this team. I do not really like to compare but this team is certainly special. I am priviledged to be a part of this set up," he added.

The Indians did not have to wait long for the first wicket of the day as Ashwin trapped Jonny Bairstow leg before.

Bairstow, who was the second highest scorer in England's second innings with 51 runs, called for a review, but the third umpire backed the original decision.

Chris Woakes went back before opening his account. The right-hander went for a drive, but Ashwin managed to fing the gap between his bat and pad as the ball crashed into the stumps.

Ashwin then cleaned up the wickets of Adil Rashid and James Anderson to complete a well-deserved victory for India.

--IANS

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