India secured a series victory over England in Ranchi with a decisive win in the fourth Test match. This win gave India an unassailable 3-1 lead. It marked the first series defeat for England under the new leadership duo of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, heralding a significant moment in contemporary Test cricket.
The match, which concluded on the fourth day, was a testament to India's strategic prowess and depth of talent. The team was coming through various challenges to emerge victorious.
The day began with India resuming their innings at 40/0, after a promising start. The dynamic opening duo of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal got into their rhythm, putting India in a commanding position. With his aggressive gameplay, Sharma sent James Anderson over wide long-on for a magnificent six. At the same time, Jaiswal demonstrated his broad range of strokes. Together, they added 84 runs for the first wicket, setting a foundation for the innings.
Yet, the match took a turn when Jaiswal lost concentration and was dismissed by Joe Root. It opened a window of opportunity for England.
After reaching his half-century, Rohit Sharma was soon out, adding to India's troubles. The wicket of Rajat Patidar for a duck intensified the pressure, as India found themselves at 100/3. The post-lunch session brought more challenges, with the quick dismissals of Ravindra Jadeja and Sarfaraz Khan. England took an advantageous position.
The arrival of Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel shifted the tide of the match. Their partnership displayed calm and measured cricket. That was precisely what India needed to steer back into the game. Gill, known for his elegant stroke play, showcased tremendous maturity, anchoring the innings amidst losing partners.
Jurel, building on his commendable 90 in the first innings, played a crucial role in the fightback. Their partnership revived India's innings. It also brought the local crowd back to life with a much-needed boundary that ended a 30-over dry spell.
As India inched closer to victory, Gill's fifty, brought up by a courageous step-down shot off his 120th delivery, became a highlight. Jurel's finishing touch in the following over was the perfect conclusion to an enthralling match. Despite setting a challenging target with scores of 353 and 145, England could not withstand India's determined chase, culminating in 307 and 192/5.
This victory is not just a win in the record books for India. It is a significant statement on their home turf dominance in the Test format. The series win reflects the meticulous planning and execution by the Indian team. It successfully challenged the aggressive cricket philosophy championed by McCullum and Stokes.
As India triumphs, the match in Ranchi will be remembered for its dramatic shifts, key player battles, and the emergence of new heroes in Gill and Jurel, who crafted a memorable victory.
Brief scores: India 307 (Dhruv Jurel 90; Shoaib Bashir 5/119) & 192/5 (Rohit Sharma 55, Shubman Gill 52*; Shoaib Bashir 3/79) beat
England 353 (Joe Root 122*; Ravindra Jadeja 4/67) & 145 (Zak Crawley 60; R Ashwin 5/51) by five wickets.