England captain Joe Root was left scratching his head as his team lost the third Test match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad by 10 wickets against India. With India going 2-1 up in the four-match series, England was also eliminated from the race for the final of the World Test Championship.
England managed just 112 and 81, their lowest total in Tests against India on a pitch that spun from day one. Akshar Patel picked 11 wickets and R Ashwin took 7 wickets in the match. Ashwin also reached the 400 Test wickets and 600 international wickets milestones during the course of the Test.
IND v ENG 2021: Michael Vaughan melts down after England get bowled out for 81; India set 49 to win
Though India was bowled out for 145 in their first innings, the home team managed to win the Test inside two days, by 10 wickets, chasing down the 49-run target with ease.
Joe Root had a bit of a happy moment in the match, as he picked his maiden fifer in Tests, with figures of 5/8 as India folded for 145.
However, after the match, during the presentation, Joe Root said that this performance doesn’t define England as a team.
“We were 70 for 2. But we didn't really capitalize on it. 250 on that wicket would have made it different. We will come back using this hurt and come back as a better team. The plastic coating on the ball gathered the pace of the wicket. It was high-quality bowling as well. Both sides struggled on that wicket. We don't define ourselves on a performance like this,” said Root.
He also added that the visitors shouldn’t have brought the baggage from the second Test in Chennai, which England had lost by 317 runs, as Indian spinners had ruled the roost there as well. He congratulated Ishant for his 100 Tests and Ashwin for reaching 400 Test wickets.
“We shouldn't have any baggage from the previous games going into the last game. We have seen with the ball in hand, we can pick up wickets. I think it sums up the wicket, if I am getting a fifer. Congratulations to Ishant for 100 Tests and Ashwin for 400 Test wickets,” said Root.
The fourth Test match begins on March 4 in Ahmedabad.
(Cricbuzz inputs)
