Between the Gabba and Motera, the Indian tail has scored 820 runs in eight innings (28.28 per partnership). Sundar deserves credit for that.
India wrapped up the game, and with it, the series, after bowling out England for 135 in the second innings on Day 3 in the fourth Test match, at Motera, Ahmedabad. Some fine batting from Washington Sundar and Axar Patel in the first session helped India post 365 and secure a lead of 160.
In reply, the English players failed to get their act together against the Indian spinners. Axar and R Ashwin picked up five wickets apiece as India won by an innings and 25 runs to seal a spot in the final of the World Test Championship. Here are the takeaways from the day:
The reassurance of a strong lower middle order
Over years, the Indian bowlers have often managed to get the opposition top order cheaply before the lower order had snatched games away. When their turn came, the Indian tail had been found wanting time and again. In the five Tests from Wellington to Sydney last year, India’s last four wickets had only scored 292 runs in eight innings (9.12 runs per partnership).
Then, between the Gabba and Motera, the Indian tail has scored 820 runs in eight innings (28.28 per partnership). Sundar deserves credit for that. He averages 66.25 since his debut – the most for any Indian batsman in this period. Batting at seven and eight, he has amassed three fifties (two of them unbeaten).
With Ashwin and Axar contributing as well, the Indian tail currently bears a formidable look. The fact that Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya are waiting in the wings further strengths India’s batting that often withered away after the top order gave in.
Rishabh Pant’s all-round improvement
Pant has undoubtedly been one of the most-improved Indian cricketers over the last few months. He has displayed maturity with the bat and has significantly upped his game behind the stumps as well. Ahead of this home series, questions had been raised on Pant the ’keeper, especially against spin, but he answered his critics with some fine glovework on Day 3 that included three dismissals.
Pant was swift and alert to latch on to a Dom Sibley sweep that ricocheted off Shubman Gill’s knee. He then effected an excellent stumping off Axar, who beat Ollie Pope in flight and turn. The extra bounce hit Pant on the chest but he was quick to whip off the bails with one hand. He picked up another terrific catch when Dom Bess under-edged a sweep.
Dan Lawrence shows promise
Lawrence’s emergence was the greatest positive for England in a series where woes were aplenty. He had shown his skills against turn in Sri Lanka. Here, he added 50 to a first-innings score of 46. In the second innings, he was a lone warrior against quality spin bowling, albeit on a a pitch that had little demons. A surprise replacement for Jofra Archer in the XI, he batted beautifully with a clear awareness of the off stump. He also read the arm ball well.
Just four Tests old, the Essex has shown great application in playing in tough situations, and remains the biggest positive for the England side.