The 106-run victory margin in the Test match between India and England doesn’t fully capture the intensity of the game. During the first session on Day 4, India faced a precarious situation with England dominating proceedings, putting India on the back foot.
The match resembled a boxing match, with England delivering a series of strong blows, leaving India struggling to defend the 332-run target. Throughout the first session on Day 4, both teams engaged in a battle of skill and strategy, captivating fans who appreciate the nuanced dynamics of Test cricket. At one stage, the atmosphere at Vizag seemed tense, with Indian supporters becoming increasingly anxious about the team’s performance.
Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel faced tough dismissals, while India hesitated to bring Kuldeep Yadav into the game. Consequently, the responsibility fell on R Ashwin, who had remained wicketless in the first innings and faced criticism following the previous Test.
In contrast to his usual tentative start, Ollie Pope, the hero of the first Test, was playing confidently. R Ashwin, sticking to his strategy from the previous match, opted for a round-the-stumps angle of attack. However, this time, his deliveries were spinning more sharply off the Vizag pitch.
In the midst of Indian desperation, with deep-set fields and concerned faces like Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, R Ashwin made a breakthrough. His delivery drifted away with the angle and bounced sharply on Ollie Pope, who attempted to cut it but couldn’t control the bounce. The ball flew to the left of first slip, where Rohit Sharma pulled off a reflex catch that would have impressed even the great slip fielder Mark Waugh. Despite the ferocity of the ball, Rohit managed to secure it in his left hand.
After Ollie Pope’s dismissal, Joe Root stopped him near the boundary line for a chat. It wasn’t just a casual exchange of pleasantries; it seemed like a serious conversation. Root then reverse-swept his first ball, and the camera focused on R Ashwin. It was unclear whether Ashwin looked taken aback or if he realized it was time to switch to game mode again.
In response to Joe Root’s aggression, R Ashwin adjusted his approach. He began to slow down, offering more flight and reducing his pace. Despite being just a few wickets shy of the 500 mark, Ashwin threw himself into the battle. As Root charged again, Ashwin unleashed a combination: slower, flightier, and drifting away.
Root’s aggressive mindset led to his downfall. He attempted a spectacular across-the-line shot, instead of playing it safe. As a result, the ball ended up in Indian hands, leading to his dismissal with England at 154 for 5.
Despite the setback of Root’s dismissal, England showed resilience. Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow remained confident, focusing on playing the ball on merit. Bumrah attempted to trouble Bairstow with a length ball outside off, but Bairstow responded with two crisp fours, showcasing his batting prowess. Meanwhile, Crawley confidently left deliveries outside off stump and capitalized on scoring opportunities within his reach, displaying his tall reach and impeccable driving skills.
Kuldeep Yadav, entering the scene late but making a significant impact, deceived Zak Crawley with a skidding delivery from the leg and middle line. Crawley, caught off guard, attempted to retreat but was struck on the pad while playing across the line. Initially, the umpire deemed it missing leg, but Kuldeep, confident in his assessment, urged his captain to review. The decision vindicated Kuldeep’s judgment, and Crawley was dismissed. Despite Jonny Bairstow being joined by Ben Stokes, Jasprit Bumrah soon removed Bairstow with a sharp delivery tailing in, leaving England at 196 for 6 at tea break.
In the last session, a peculiar sight unfolded as Ben Stokes, typically an aggressive player, appeared disoriented, reminiscent of a leisurely jog in a garden. Shreyas Iyer, known for his quick reflexes, made a crucial intervention by picking up the ball and throwing it sideways to catch Stokes short of the crease. Despite Stokes’ efforts, the margin proved decisive, signaling England’s impending defeat.
Despite England’s resilience, with Tom Hartley and Ben Foakes adding crucial runs, Jasprit Bumrah’s intervention sealed the deal for India. Bumrah’s strategic bowling, including a slower delivery to dismiss Foakes, and ultimately knocking out Hartley’s off stump, secured victory for India by 106 runs. This triumph reflects India’s ability to withstand challenges, akin to the cyclonic storms often witnessed in Visakhapatnam.
Stokes: “2-0 up would be great, but it’s the end of the series that counts.”
Dravid stresses India’s awareness of the battle’s intensity. With 10 restless days ahead, tension may rise as they reconvene in Rajkot for the series.
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