England took less than 20 overs on Day 4 to wrap up the Leeds Test match. India collapsed again, this time against the second new ball, and surrendered meekly to lose their last eight wickets for just 63 runs. England won by an innings and 76 runs. Ollie Robinson recorded his second five-wicket haul in the series and finished with 5-65, his best figures in international cricket.
Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara started the day carefully, and the Indian fans hoped them to continue with the good work on Day 3 under conditions not difficult for batting. However, Robinson trapped Pujara, who did not offer a shot, without adding anything to the overnight team total.
Virat Kohli survived a caught-behind decision with the help of DRS and reached his first fifty of the series. But, in the same over, he nicked an outswinger from Robinson. That effectively ended the match for the Indians.
The procession continued as Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant were also dismissed in the next two overs, caught behind off James Anderson and Robinson respectively.
The Indian tail did not survive long. Only Ravindra Jadeja produced some resistance, with a 25-ball 30 with five fours and a six. He was ninth out, to Craig Overton, who finished the match in the same over by dismissing Mohammed Siraj.
In between, Robinson reached his five-for by dismissing Ishant Sharma, who was also caught behind by Jos Buttler.
England squared the series 1-1 with 2 Test matches to go. Having relinquished the momentum after the win at Lord’s, India may consider a change to their squad. They may opt to drop a fast bowlers for R. Ashwin at The Oval, where the ball typically turns more than other Indian pitches. They may also consider playing an extra batter.
Brief scores: India 78 (Rohit Sharma 19; James Anderson 3-6) and 278 (Cheteshwar Pujara 91; Ollie Robinson 5-65) lost to England 432 (Joe Root 121; Mohammed Shami 4-95) by an innings and 76 runs. Player of the Match: Ollie Robinson.