India were bundled out for 345 while chasing the colossal target of 464 runs in the fourth innings.
Indian fans’ fear of 4-1 series loss eventually came true as England defeated Virat Kohli and company by 118 runs in the fifth and final Test at The Oval on Tuesday (September 11).
Chasing the colossal target of 464 runs in the fourth innings, India were tottering at 58/3 at stumps on Day 4 with KL Rahul (46*) and Ajinkya Rahane (10*) at the crease. The duo of Rahul and Rahane started the fifth day positively, adding 64 runs to their overnight stand of 56.
When things were looking at ease for India, Rahane threw away his wicket by recklessly sweeping Moeen Ali towards mid-wicket. After Rahane’s departure on 37, the visitors lost the wicket of debutant Hanuma Vihari in the next over. Vihari, who scored 56 in his maiden Test innings, became the victim of Ben Stokes.
Meanwhile, Rahul continued his audacious strokeplay from the other end and in the process notched up his fifth century in red-ball cricket. It was Rahul’s maiden Test ton on English soil and also his first significant score in this series. Rishabh Pant was batting alongside Rahul when umpires decided to go for the lunch break with India on 167/5.
During the post-lunch session, Pant went berserk and score 89 runs in the session to notch up his maiden Test century. The dynamic pair of Rishabh and Rahul dominated the English attack and added 131 runs in the entire session to take the tourists to 298/5 at Tea.
Needing another 166 runs to win the Test, India lost the plot in the final session as Adil Rashid removed Rahul (149) and Pant (114) in quick succession. Afterwards, England took the second new ball and wrapped up the Indian innings in no time.
While Sam Curran got rid of Ishant Sharma (5) and Ravindra Jadeja (13), James Anderson removed Mohammad Shami (0) to bundle out India on 345. By virtue of this win, the hosts clinched the five-match Test series 4-1.
Twitterverse was buzzing on the final day of the England-India Test series with experts sharing their valuable inputs.
Here are some of the tweets:
There is no room for "what if" in sport. India had their moments but the scorecards say 4-1 and India weren't as good as they should have been. This is two overseas disappointments in a row now.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 11, 2018
A disappointing result for Team India but I've been highly impressed by how this unit has bowled especially the fast bowlers. A lot of positives for them but the bastmen really need to work hard to give a tough fight to Australia at their den. Congratulations to England! #ENGvIND
— R P Singh (@rpsingh) September 11, 2018
India played very well this series, lots of positives etc...but they lost more tests than the 2014 series in England and as many as in 2011....so.. #ENGvIND
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) September 11, 2018
Congratulations to the chef #alistaircook on a wonderful cricketing journey. Wishing him all the luck for the future
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 11, 2018
Couldn’t have been....should’ve been. Second consecutive overseas tour ends with the same feeling. Indian fast bowlers are world class. Kohli is the best batsman in the world. Some work left in other areas to become the best Test side in the world. #EngvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 11, 2018
It will be a case of what could have been for India. Few positives on the tour but we lacked in consistency and have a fair bit of work to do to become a good travelling team. Congratulations to England on the win.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 11, 2018
What a special 2 days ... And what a way to finish Alastair Cooks England career ... His great pal @jimmy9 breaking @glennmcgrath11 record ... What a pair of legends this Country has ... #564
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) September 11, 2018
A test match which had many moments worth remembering for a long time. Alastair Cook scoring a century in his last test, Pant scoring his first, Rahul scoring a brilliant 149 & Jimmy Anderson becoming the highest wicket taker amongst fast bowlers. Congratulations Eng on the win.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) September 11, 2018
Well fought India, but winner takes it all: Cook retires with century and plethora of records, Anderson becomes highest wicket-taking fast bowler, and England win the series 4-1
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 11, 2018