India v England: Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel hold off England as India secure series victory with fourth-Test win
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Updated 26/02/2024 at 12:15 GMT
India claimed a 3-1 series victory over England following an expert batting performance on day four of the fourth Test. The tourists had given themselves slim hope of a stunning fightback with two wickets in eight balls to dismiss Rohit Sharma and Rajat Patidar during Monday’s action, but India chipped away to seal a convincing victory. "A lot of positives to take," Ben Stokes told TNT Sports.
RANCHI, INDIA - FEBRUARY 26: India batsmen Shubman Gill (r) and Dhruv Jurel celebrate the winning runs during day four of the 4th Test Match between India and England at JSCA International Stadium Complex on February 26, 2024 in Ranchi, India.
Image credit: Getty Images
India produced a clinical batting performance on day four of the fourth Test to seal a 3-1 series victory over England in Ranchi.
The hosts chased 152 runs on Monday following Ravichandran Ashwin’s heroics with the ball on day three, as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill scored half-centuries to end England’s hopes of a stunning recovery.
The tourists claimed five wickets with Shoaib Bashir adding three more to his terrific series haul, but ultimately, India managed the remainder of the match expertly to seal victory on home turf.
After the match, Ben Stokes insisted there were plenty of positives for England to take from the defeat.
"That last partnership India managed to put on was very, very impressive, given the circumstances of the game and obviously, the pressure that they were under," Stokes told TNT Sports.
"Another great game to be part of, the ebbs and flows throughout every single day was something great to watch. Disappointed to be on the wrong side of the result, but a lot of positives to take, especially our spinners. I thought they were fantastic."
The England captain continued his commendation of spinners Bashir and Tom Hartley for mightily impressive performances in difficult conditions.
“Amazing, not only in the way they performed, but I think their character as well,” Stokes said.
“It should be very, very intimidating for two young spinners to come out on day four to try and bowl India out, but not once did they take a backward step. Not once did you look at their body language or their enthusiasm towards the end of the game and think we were beaten.
“As a cricket fan myself, it’s great for me to be able to see two young lads performing the way they did.”
Defeat for England looked inevitable after a masterclass with the ball from Ashwin on day three to claim five wickets, but a bright start on Monday gave England a glimpse of hope at what would have been a remarkable recovery.
Bashir predicted England would bowl India out on day four with the hosts needing 152 runs to claim the match and the series, and the tourists started their mission well when the 20-year-old followed up his first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket with three more.
Having started the day with 40 runs, the usually devastating batting partnership of Sharma and Jaiswal could only stretch their run to 84 before the first wicket fell when James Anderson produced a stunning catch off Joe Root’s tricky delivery.
England then clinched two wickets in quick succession to pull themselves back into contention. Tom Hartley claimed a big wicket to get India captain Sharma who had just ticked over his half-century, before Bashir continued his incredible series form to dismiss Rajat Patidar.
Gill continued to chip away while Ravindra Jadeja’s time at the crease was swiftly ended by Bashir, who then claimed his third victim of day four to see off Sarfaraz Khan as England started excellently after lunch, with India at 120-5.
Just when England thought they were right back in the contest, Jurel stepped in alongside Gill and the pair proved to be unstoppable to reach their target of 192 and wrap up an entertaining series.
India now have a 3-1 lead in the five-match series with just one Test left to play.
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