A clinical display with the ball led by Umesh Yadav (3/60) and Jasprit Bumrah (2/27) resulted in an emphatic 157-run win against England in the fourth Test match at The Oval in London. Chasing 368 for the win, England were dismissed for 210 in the final session of the day with Haseeb Hameed top-scoring with a gritty 63.
India go 2-1 up in the Test series 🎉#WTC23 | #ENGvIND | https://t.co/zRhnFj1Srx pic.twitter.com/IvwZE1THXB
— ICC (@ICC) September 6, 2021
After four riveting days of cricket between two of the most dominant sides in the world, India entered Day 5 as firm favourites on a turning pitch by posting a mammoth 466 runs in the second innings. On the final day, a dominant performance with the ball led by Jasprit Bumrah's fiery spell post-lunch scripted India's incredible win in the fourth Test. The 27-year old picked up two wickets in successive overs to derail the middle order of the home team and set up this famous win.
India have taken four wickets since lunch.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 6, 2021
Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/Kh5KyTSOMS
🏴 #ENGvIND 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/bJDiEoIgg8
The home started the proceedings on an overnight score of 77/0, with the opening combination of Rory Burns and Hameed holding fort in pursuit of 368. They were watchful in the first half of the session and accumulated the ones and the twos. With the Indian bowlers drifting down the leg side in their bid to bowl straight to the batters, England benefitted from this strategy and kept the scoreboard ticking.
Despite the footmarks on the pitch, bright and sunny conditions on offer ensured there was hardly anything for the fast bowlers in the first session. The duo stitched a 100-run partnership to lay a solid foundation in the run chase before the southpaw was dismissed for 50 by Shardul Thakur.
Burns hits a deserved half-century but edges Shardul to Pant a ball later.
— Sony Sports (@SonySportsIndia) September 6, 2021
Tune into Sony Six (ENG), Sony Ten 3 (HIN), Sony Ten 4 (TAM, TEL) & SonyLIV (https://t.co/AwcwLCPFGm ) now! 📺#ENGvINDOnlyOnSonyTen #BackOurBoys #Shardul #Burns pic.twitter.com/wtNsKZft3T
The right-arm medium pacer, bowling his first over of the innings, managed to get movement off the seam as he induced a faint edge off Burns to dent the opposition batting unit. Coming in at number three, Dawid Malan struggled with the conditions before an error in judgement by Hameed resulted in his downfall as he was run-out inches short of the ground.
With over two sessions of play remaining in the game, the onus of the side relied heavily on Joe Root and Hameed. While they ensured England reach 131/2 at lunch, the post-lunch session resulted in a flurry of wickets as Jadeja scalped the big wicket of Hameed for a well compiled 63 runs. After Mohammed Siraj dropped him for 55 in the first session, the 24-year old looked uncertain in his footwork and missed the ball turning from the rough off Jadeja.
A good ball to end an impressive innings.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 6, 2021
Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/Kh5KyTSOMS
🏴 #ENGvIND 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/KS68VzSIsn
With wickets of Ollie Pope and Jonny Bairstow in quick succession courtesy of some brilliant bowling from Jasprit Bumrah, England were in disarray as they slipped from 141/2 to 147/6. Bumrah made optimum use of the reverse swing on offer as he targeted the stumps and dismantled the middle order of the hosts.
1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ Test wickets for Bumrah! 💥
— Sony Sports (@SonySportsIndia) September 6, 2021
He shatters the stumps and gets there in true Bumrah style!
Tune into Sony Six (ENG), Sony Ten 3 (HIN), Sony Ten 4 (TAM, TEL) & SonyLIV (https://t.co/AwcwLCPFGm ) now! 📺#ENGvINDOnlyOnSonyTen #BackOurBoys #Bumrah #Pope pic.twitter.com/8CMDvdrevy
Despite the second new ball being available, Virat Kohli opted for Shardul Thakur to bowl with the old ball. The move reaped massive dividends as he picked up the vital wicket of Root for 36. Despite valiant efforts from their skipper and Chirs Woakes down the order, the home team fell short by 157 runs.
The LORD striketh gold! 💥
— Sony Sports (@SonySportsIndia) September 6, 2021
Shardul bowls one in the corridor outside off and Root chops it on! 🇮🇳
Tune into Sony Six (ENG), Sony Ten 3 (HIN), Sony Ten 4 (TAM, TEL) & SonyLIV (https://t.co/AwcwLCPFGm ) now! 📺#ENGvINDOnlyOnSonyTen #BackOurBoys #Shardul #Root pic.twitter.com/m4PoFlEhWI
The visiting side leads the five-match series 2-1, with the final Test scheduled to commence from 10th September at Old Trafford in Manchester.