The third Test between England and India at Trent Bridge finally came to its much-awaited conclusion as India defeated England in a handsome manner.
England had stretched the match into the fifth day, thanks to the efforts of Adil Rashid and Stuart Broad, who added 50 runs for the 9th wicket after Bumrah had dismissed Buttler and Bairstow in successive balls to end the 169-run vigil between Buttler and Stokes.
Pandya took care of Stokes and it all came down to the tailenders. However, Adil Rashid defended stoically and despite taking the extra half hour to finish the job, Indian bowlers couldn’t get the last wicket, as James Anderson survived a peppering of short balls.
However, the rites were completed shortly on day five as
Joe Root would rue his decision to field first, as it gave India a mighty chance to get ahead in the game. Also, England’s catching has been abysmal when compared to India’s and them dropping Virat Kohli repeatedly has hurt them pretty badly.
Jos Buttler's century in the second innings would be a heartening sight for the England fans, as his turn around as a Test player is one of the best stories of the year so far.
The Indian team applied themselves hard in the first innings to get to a good total and when they saw an opening to put pressure on England in the second innings, they put up a mountain of runs on them and ensured that England had no chance of a comeback.
R Ashwin picked the last wicket to fall on day five, that of James Anderson, caught by Rahane and England finished on 317 and India won the Test by 203 runs. Adil Rashid remained unbeaten on 33.
The Pataudi series now stands at 2-1 in favor of England after three Tests.
Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya were excellent with the ball and got tremendous support from Mohammad Shami and Ishant Sharma. Kohli would be proud of his batsmen applying themselves and the openers, for putting up two fifty-plus partnerships at the top.
England will play India in the fourth Test of the Pataudi Trophy at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton, from 30 August to September 3, 2018.
BRIEF SCORES:
INDIA 329 & 352/7 AND ENGLAND 161 & 317 (J BUTTLER 106, B STOKES 62; J BUMRAH 5/85)
India won the match by 203 runs
