What a magnificent comeback England have made to beat India! They chased 378 runs, their highest run-chasing in Test cricket, to win the match against India. Despite a poor start in the first innings, England recovered very well in the second. They didn’t let India score big runs in the 2nd innings. Moreover, England chased the target losing only three wickets. As a result, the Three Lions won the 5th Test by 7 wickets.
Match Report
Team India had a flying start in the first innings. With two centuries from Rishab Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, India scored 416 runs in the first innings. On the other hand, Indian bowlers were on fire against the British batsmen. England’s first innings ended in 284 runs due to their aggression. As a result, India took a lead of 132 runs.
But the scenario started changing in the 2nd innings. English bowlers became very deadliest in that innings. Pacer James Anderson picked up a wicket in the very first over. But Cheteshwar Pujara tried to make a partnership with the new batter, Hanuma Vihari. Together they added 39 runs on the scoreboard. However, Vihari lost his wicket after scoring only 11 runs, while Pujara departed the pitch after getting a half-century.
However, Rishab Pant scored 57 runs before losing the wicket. Unfortunately, no other batsmen of India scored fifty in the 2nd innings. English captain Ben Stokes took 4 wickets alone. As a result, India became all out in 245 runs. So, England needed 378 runs to win the match.
Chasing the massive target, England had a flying start. Alex Lees and Zak Crawley, the two openers of England, added 107 runs in the opening partnership. But the home team lost three wickets from 23 to 25 overs. It seemed India could defend their runs as they picked up some quick wickets. But Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow had steel nerve to chase the target. They made a partnership of 296 runs. Moreover, both players got centuries to chase the target. Joe Root and Bairstow remained not out in 142 and 114 runs. Relying on these runs, England won the match by 7 wickets.