We have been treated to an absolute classic of a final Test between England and India at the KIA Oval, with India levelling the series 2-2 with a 6-run victory. Here are the top five moments of an absorbing game.
1. Nair To The Rescue
Embed from Getty ImagesThroughout the series, the Indian top order has stood tall amongst England’s new ball bowlers; however, as Shubman Gill was run out at a crucial time of India’s first innings, they desperately needed someone to dig them out of a tricky situation.
Nair has looked in decent form in this series, but has failed to convert his starts into a meaningful innings.
Though he scored 57 runs in the first innings, he spent almost three hours at the crease, which stopped any momentum England had with the ball.
Though he did not score a century like most of India’s batsmen have in this series, his contributions were pivotal in keeping India in the game.
2.Root Relentless Again
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother Test, another superb innings from England’s greatest batsman, who surpassed Ricky Ponting(AUS), Jacques Kallis(RSA), and Rahul Dravid(IND), to become the second-highest run scorer in Tests.
He is still 2,378 runs away from Sachin Tendulkar(Ind) as the highest successful run scorer in this format.
He played another great knock of 105 in England’s second innings, and looked to be taking the game away from India, with a magnificent partnership of 195 with Harry Brook.
Though they did not do enough to win the game, it was a perfect demonstration of the different ways you can score runs in Tests.
Root does it the traditional way, by batting time, to ensure England don’t lose wickets in clumps.
His presence in the middle took the pressure off Brook, which allowed him to play his explosive brand of cricket.
You could even say that his wicket in the final session of day four was the turning point in the game.
The hosts still required another 37 runs to win, and from an England point of view, you could argue whether a guide down to third man was necessary.
If he had just played for the close and remained not out, we could well have seen a different outcome for the match.
3. Jaiswal Finishes Tour In Style
Embed from Getty ImagesWith 411 runs at an average of 41.10, the left-hander from Mumbai has also had a successful tour of England.
One hundred one at Headingley, 87 at Edgbaston, 58 at Old Trafford, and a magnificent 118 at the Oval, you can’t ask for anything more in your first Series in the country.
What was so impressive from the left-hander’s performance on this tour was his temperament and the way he played the new ball.
Jaiswal is usually a free-flowing, attacking batsman; however, as the Duke’s ball swings and seams, your technique and temperament as a batsman are tested to the full.
But you have to give credit to how swiftly he adapted to the conditions, playing as late as possible, which is a key asset in England.
The innings at the Oval ensured that India had a competitive score to defend in the second innings.
If he can carry on consistently scoring runs, especially in different conditions, India has found a gem of a player for the future.
4. Deep Digs Deep With The Bat
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother crucial phase of the game was the 66 runs from nightwatchman Akash Deep. His cameo of 66 with the bat was pivotal in helping India build on their second innings lead.
Had he not played that innings, England could well have been chasing a score of just over 300, despite Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar scoring half-centuries.
But it wasn’t just his aggressive stroke play that frustrated England; it was also his determination to try and stick around with Jaiswal and put on a partnership of 107, which took India from a lead of 47 to 154.
Had Deep fallen at the back end of Day 2, it would have put pressure on the rest of the batters to build on India’s lead.
Perhaps he should be given a permanent role as nightwatchman, particularly when India tours overseas.
5. Siraj Thrives As Leader Of Attack
Embed from Getty ImagesWith no Jasprit Bumrah playing in this Test, India needed someone to step in as the leader of the attack. Enter Mohammed Siraj.
When the 31-year-old stepped on the boundary rope, when Brook was on 19, it was at such a crucial time that he went on to score a century, which could have taken the game away from India.
But the way he came back to take the three crucial wickets of Jamie Smith, Craig Overton, and Gus Atkinson, who are capable of scoring runs with the bat, was exceptional.
It also shows the vast amount of self-belief he has as a cricketer.
If he carries on with this high level of consistency and tremendous self-belief, he has the potential to become one of India’s greatest bowlers, particularly in overseas conditions.
So these were the top 5 moments of the fifth and final Test between England and India at the KIA Oval.
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