India vs England 2021: Spinners shine as India seal facile win on eventful second day


India vs England 2021: Spinners shine as India seal facile win on eventful second day

India celebrate a wicket during the third test

Axar Patel celebrates a wicket

On a truly remarkable day of cricket for the spinners, as many as 17 wickets fell and the whole third test between India and England in Ahmedabad was wrapped up with three more days to spare. Amidst all the talk about pacers coming into the picture due to the match being a pink ball day/night test, the pitch turned out to be one providing ample turn and purchase for the spinners. Both teams struggled against the turning ball as the match turned out to be a low-scoring affair.

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The result is crucial with regard to the World Test Championship (WTC) as India now have one foot in it. They just need to avoid defeat in the final test in the same venue. As for England, they are now out of contention as they needed to win 3 tests in the series to qualify for the same. It will hence, either be Australia facing New Zealand or India facing New Zealand depending on whether or not India avoid defeat in the fourth test.

Joe Root and Axar Patel take five; Ravi Ashwin picks his 400th wicket

Ravichandran Ashwin

Earlier in the day, beginning on a very strong position of 99/3 and just 14 runs behind, India were put in a real spot of bother as a dramatic collapse occurred fashioned by skipper Joe Root who breathed fire with his bowling. None of the Indian batters were able to get their eye in as the wickets kept tumbling on the turning pitch. India were shot out for 145, taking a lead of just 33 runs.

England would have fancied their chances of winning but they were greeted with a barrage of spin from Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin who just ran through the batting order with terrific ease. It was a similar story as with India’s collapse but this was even worse as the batsmen looked clueless against the turning ball. They were shot out for just 81 runs leaving India with 49 to get.

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Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill strode out to complete the formalities and did so with ease as India raced home without losing a wicket to go 2-1 up in the series. The fourth test will begin on the 4th of March.

Scores

England – 1st innings

BatsmanMode of DismissalRunsBalls
Rohit Sharmalbw b Axar5384
Dom Sibleyc Rohit b Ishant07
Jonny Bairstowlbw b Axar09
Joe Rootlbw b Ashwin1737
Ben Stokeslbw b Axar624
Ollie Popeb Ashwin112
Ben Foakesb Axar1258
Jofra Archerb Axar1118
Jack Leachc Pujara b Ashwin314
Stuart Broadc Bumrah b Axar329
James Andersonnot out03

Total – 112 all-out in 48.4 overs

BowlerOversRunsWickets
Ishant Sharma5261
Jasprit Bumrah6190
Axar Patel21.4386
Ravichandran Ashwin16263

India – 1st innings

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BatsmanMode of DismissalRunsBalls
Rohit Sharmalbw b Leach6696
Shubman Gillc Crawley b Archer1151
Cheteshwar Pujaralbw b Leach04
Virat Kohlib Leach2758
Ajinkya Rahanelbw b Leach725
Rishabh Pantc Foakes b Root18
Ravichandran Ashwinc Crawley b Root1732
Washington Sundarb Root012
Axar Patelc Sibley b Root02
Ishant Sharmanot out1020
Jasprit Bumrahlbw b Root112

Total – 145 all-out in 53.2 overs

BowlerOversRunsWickets
James Anderson13200
Stuart Broad6160
Jofra Archer5241
Jack Leach20544
Ben Stokes3190
Joe Root6.285

England – 2nd innings

BatsmanMode of DismissalRunsBalls
Zak Crawleyb Axar01
Dom Sibleyc Pant b Axar725
Jonny Bairstowb Axar02
Joe Rootlbw b Axar1945
Ben Stokeslbw b Ashwin2534
Ollie Popeb Ashwin1215
Ben Foakeslbw b Axar828
Jofra Archerlbw b Ashwin02
Jack Leachc Rahane b Ashwin922
Stuart Broadnot out17
James Andersonc Pant b Sundar03

Total – 81 all-out in 30.4 overs

BowlerOversRunsWickets
Axar Patel15325
Ravichandran Ashwin15484
Washington Sundar0.411

India – 2nd innings

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BatsmanMode of DismissalRunsBalls
Rohit Sharmanot out2525
Shubman Gillnot out1521

Total – 49/0 in 7.4 overs

BowlerOversRunsWickets
Jack Leach4150
Joe Root3.4250

Also Read: India vs England 2021: WATCH – “Paise do mere” – Rishabh Pant hilariously tells umpire Anil Chaudhary after adjusting bails