India vs England day 3 – Ashwin and Patel destroy England
India claimed their place in the World Test Championship final against New Zealand after spin bowlers Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel took 5 wickets each, punishing England following another poor batting display on Day 3.
After India added another 71 runs on top of their 294 total from yesterday, in which Washington Sundar finished on 96 not out from 174 balls, England couldn’t force the hosts to bat again after a feeble second innings saw them go 135 all out – winning by an innings and 25 runs.
Different day, same poor batting display
England needed 160 to make India return to bat. However, a combination of subpar batting by the visitors as well as stunning bowling by Ashwin (5-47) and Patel (5-48) saw them split all 10 wickets, despite Dan Lawrence’s half-century from 95 balls.
England was doomed from the get-go, falling to 30-4 in just over 13 overs. Zak Crawley was first to go when Ashwin’s first over led to Crawley (5 off 16) being caught at first slip by Ajinkya Rahane. Then on the next ball, Jonny Bairstow was dismissed for a first-ball duck when he was caught at short leg by Rohit Sharma.
Dom Sibley (3 off 21) was caught by Rishabh Pant after Patel’s full ball on middle (9.6 overs) before Ben Stokes (2 off 9) was caught by Virat Kohli at short leg (13.1 overs).
Dan Lawrence was the only England batsman – Joe Root held out for over an hour with his 30 off 72 – to put up any real numbers against India’s bowling onslaught, scoring a half-century from 95 balls before his dismissal by Ashwin was the final wicket taken.
“India’s spinners tormented the England batsmen”
As per with the past 2 tests, England couldn’t handle the elite bowling of India spinners Ashwin and Patel – with England losing all their wickets to spinners for the third successive test.
BBC’s Stephan Shemit called their performance a “mastery” as well as noting that Ashwin and Patel’s “sleight of hand, natural variation and relentless accuracy” was the cause for England’s struggles with the bat on Day 3.
This is clearly evident when you consider the Indian duo finished the series with 59 wickets between them – although Patel missed the first test. This clearly speaks volumes as to how effective and dominant they were, with Ashwin being awarded player of the series for his fantastic effort with the ball.
“The scars from this defeat will take a long time to heal”
Although there’s no denying that India dominated with their bowling – England didn’t exactly help themselves with their batting. Another dreadful display by the visitors saw 6 of their batters in the second innings dismissed with less than 6 runs.
The Telegraph’s Chief Cricket Correspondent, Nick Hoult, says how “the scars from this defeat will take a long time to heal” as well as describing their batting as “pitiful” before adding how England’s “callow batsmen” were “not good enough”.
It’s impossible not to agree with Hoult. England failed to adjust to India’s spinners, falling consistently with poor decision-making and disappointing techniques that ultimately cost the visitors dearly.
Albeit their 578 in the first test, England only managed to score over 200 once in the following 3, unable to produce a 50-run partnership since the first innings of the series – thoroughly demonstrating a selection issue within the England ranks that needs to be addressed with their T20 against India looming on the horizon.
Reactions following India’s Day 3 massacre against England
"Credit does have to go to India, again they've outskilled us."
No excuses from Joe Root after England's Test series defeat to India.https://t.co/GeJt5rARQi | #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/62hhoJqdB2
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 6, 2021
We play together, We win together. Will cherish this one for a really long time! 🙏 Thank you for all your support. Elated to be in the Finals! 😬 CHAMPIONS 🏆 #TeamIndia 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/c3IKWB8Abc
— Washington Sundar (@Sundarwashi5) March 6, 2021
India have been far too good … the last 3 Tests they have absolutely hammered England … If they can win in England they are without doubt the best Test team of this era … but that will take some doing against the swinging ball … #INDvENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 6, 2021
Champion outfits aren’t built overnight. They don’t depend on a few winners. They are defined by their ability to fightback when the chips are down. And this champion outfit has made a habit of comebacks. Well done team India. Comprehensive and brilliant as a team. #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/gLvnlpSukX
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 6, 2021
💬 "This has been a result of all the hardwork put in by the boys over a period of 6️⃣ years"
🗣️ Head Coach @RaviShastriOfc heaps praise on his boys after the 3-1 Test series win against 🏴 #TeamIndia #INDvENG @Paytm pic.twitter.com/IpxQbFlkTK
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 6, 2021
India vs England 2021
Rishabh superb century puts India in control on Day 2 – India vs England
India vs England: Test 4, Day 1 – England’s batsmen disappoint once again, score 205 all out
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