Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers tweeted while lauding the Indian team’s 157-run win over England in the fourth Test match at the Oval. India registered a brilliant victory despite posting just 191 runs in the 1st innings of the match.
The fifth day was poised to be an interesting one as England resumed on 77/0. However, Rory Burn fell for 50 and Dawid Malan ran himself out for 5 and floodgates opened for India. England somehow managed to reach lunch 131/2.
But then Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja picked four quick wickets and then England just couldn’t come back into the game, especially after Shardul Thakur bowled Joe Root for 36. In the end, England folded for 210 and lost the match by 157 runs.
This was India’s only second victory at the Oval with their first one coming in 1971.
AB de Villiers praised Virat Kohli and the Indian team. He also interestingly asked the fans to not worry about team selection and other nonsense, given that there was a lot of debate over R Ashwin’s exclusion from the Oval Test which aids spin more than other England venues.
“As “spectators” of Test Cricket, just stop worrying about team selection and other nonsense and start appreciating the competition, passion, skill and patriotism unfolding in front of your eyes. You’re missing a good game!,” De Villiers posted.
Furthermore, AB de Villiers congratulated the Indian team and skipper Kohli on the victory by tweeting, “Well played India, well Captained @imVkohli and amazing skill and guts from a few individuals. Also well played @root66 & England! Great ad for our beautiful game! Excited for the finale.”
The fifth and final Test of the series will be played at Old Trafford, Manchester from September 10.
