The enthralling series of India vs England has just ended, with the hosts clinching it 4-1. World In Sport picks the top five moments of the series.
5. Ollie Pope’s 196
Embed from Getty ImagesTraditionally, England players have struggled to played spin, especially when the pitch is a raging turner. While England were continuously losing wickets at one end,
Pope showed the mentality needed as a top order batter, to drag the tourists out of a hole from 163-5, to 420 all out, on a turner, in Hyderabad
“To come here to India, toughest place as a better and put in a winning performance, it’s head and shoulders above the rest. I got a bit luckier in the second innings, played and missed a few. Wanted to be positive with my sweep and reverse-sweep. I’ve tinkered through my career, changed my technique specifically for this series. The family have had early starts but can catch up on some sleep now.”
Pope: ESPN Cricinfo
India had a huge first innings lead of 190, and his innings completely changed the complexion of the match.
England managed to get a significant second innings lead of 230, which helped them to win the first Test by 28 runs, thanks to Tom Hartley’s brilliant spell of 7-62.
Pope’s form disintegrated throughout the remainder of the series, as he could only manage 315 runs throughout the five Tests.
If he can find some more consistency in this format, he has the potential to be a great of the game.
4. Captain’s Knock
Embed from Getty ImagesWith this Series level at 1-1 going into the third test in Rajkot. India was 33-3, when the captain was in the middle with Ravindra Jadeja.
Their partnership of 204, to get the hosts’ first innings back on track.
The fact that he was dropped by Joe Root on 27 at 47-3, was a big moment of the game.
Rohit Sharma went on to score a brilliant 131, to take India to a competitive score of 445, where he engaged in a 204-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja.
India eventually won the match by a record-breaking 434 runs, but had their captain not played that innings, the outcome of the game may have been different.
Embed from Getty ImagesSharma also scored 103 in the first innings of the fifth test at Dharamsala. Helping India build dominance in the match.It was a kind of series where everything that the Indian captain touched, turned to gold, Including in the 1st innings of the second test in Visakhapatnam.
This was where he brought on Jasprit Bumrah. To bowl a game changing spell of 6-45. This helped India boss the game, after England were 123-2 in the first innings, and collapsed to 253 all out.
"I am just so happy that we won, and it feels even better to contribute to that success."
Bumrah: ESPNCricinfo
What a bowler he has been for India over the past years. May he continue to excite Indian fans with his magical bowling skills. And may he continue to impress on the big stage.
3. Jurel's Jubilant 90
Embed from Getty ImagesWith KS Bharat dropped from the 3rd Test, for a lack of form. The onus was on the young keeper/batsman from Uttar Pradesh, who has grabbed his opportunity with both hands.
Dhruv Jurel has certainly grabbed his opportunity with a 90 in Ranchi, to dig India out of a hole at 177-7.
Jurel and Kuldeep put on a partnership of 76, to frustrate the England bowlers, and take India to a competitive first innings score of 307.
He also was involved in a 72-run partnership with Shubman Gill in the second innings, to help India chase down a fourth innings score of 192, to win the match by five wickets.
Embed from Getty ImagesThere is plenty of potential in 23-year-old as an all-format play, particularly if he can find some consistency in form with the bat.
2. Anderson Joins 700 Club
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother bowler who has had an incredible career. 700 wickets in 187 matches, at the age of 41, is a phenomenal achievement.
The fact that he is just eight wickets away from Shane Warne's 708 and 100 from Muttiah Muralitharan's 800 Test scalps, shows the passion he has not just for England, but for Test Cricket as well.
He also paid a special tribute to the ECB on twitter.
"If I'd have known this presentation was happening I'd have washed my hair and brushed my teeth."" Thanks England Cricket for this lovely gift and for capturing my sheer delight at reaching this milestone. #smilingontheinside,"
Anderson: Sportskeeda
The fact that 434 of those wickets have come in England, and 266 have come overseas, shows that even though it is easier to take more wickets when the ball is swinging around, he still has the quality of perseverance, and skills, to get wickets in all conditions.
1. Jais-ball Dominates Bazball
Embed from Getty ImagesWith 712 runs at an average of 89, the young Left Hander from Mumbai has tormented England's bowlers throughout the five Tests.
An 80 in the first Test, 73 and 209 in the second, and 214 in the second innings of third Test at Rajkot shows his passion to score runs at the highest level.
He also surpassed Virat Kohli, as the fastest Indian batter to score 1,000 Test runs in just 16 innings.
"Really enjoyed it, gave me a lot of experiences. Really happy with the way I played. [Sixes] Thinking to play my shots, if I think I can score runs, I will take it on. Trying to play one match at a time, enjoy it and do something to help my team."
Jaiswal:ESPN Cricinfo
Jaiswal is also the third Indian, and the 10th batsman overall, to score more than one double century in a test series.
Much of Jaiswal's success has come under his Coach Jwala Singh, who is the founder of the MCC (Mumbai Cricket Club).
"He is the reason I have reached here,"
Jaiswal: Sky Sports
The fact that that he is just 22-years old, show the talent he exhibits as a future great of the game.
Image Credit: Deposit Photos
