Ashwin takes last wicket as India wins by 203 runs

Needing only a wicket on the final morning, India completed the formalities in only 2.5 overs as England was all out for 317, well short of the mammoth victory target of 521 runs.

India now trails England 1-2 but more importantly got some breathing space after a heart-breaking defeat in Edgbaston, followed by the debacle at the Lord’s.

The final wicket was taken by Ravichandran Ashwin, who dismissed James Anderson (11), caught by Ajinkya Rahane.

The heartening aspect was the kind of domination shown by the Indian team in what can easily be termed as a complete performance under Virat Kohli’s captaincy outside the sub-continent.

While openers KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan were solid if not spectacular, the new ball bowlers Ishant Sharma (2/32 and 2/70) and Mohammed Shami (1/56 and 1/78) were relentless in their attack.

Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane (81 in first innings) and Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara (72 in second innings) also put their hands up when it mattered the most.

Hardik Pandya (five-for and half-century) produced an all-round performance with wickets and runs to justify his place and make a statement to the sceptics.

The slip catching improved by leaps and bounds with Rahul taking seven catches.

Rishabh Pant showed why he is considered a minefield of talent during his eventful stay at the crease. Pant might still be a work in progress as far as glove-work is concerned but five catches in the first innings showed that it won’t be easy for the first choice Test keeper Wriddhiman Saha to just walk back into the team once he gets fit. 

Last but not the least was skipper himself. Easily the best batsmen across both sides, Kohli has now taken his tally of runs to 440 after knocks of 97 and 103 in the third Test. Call it a coincidence, Kohli has accumulated exactly 200 runs in the first and third Test matches.

India (1st innings) 329

England (1st innings) 161

India (2nd innings) 352/7 decl.

England (2nd innings) 

A Cookc Rahul b Ishant17

K Jenningsc Pant b Ishant13

J Rootc Rahul b Bumrah13

O Popec Kohli b Shami16

B Stokesc rahul b Pandya62

J Buttlerlbw Bumrah106

J Bairstowb Bumrah0

C Woakesc Pant b Bumrah4

A Rashid(not out)33

S Broadc Rahul b Bumrah20

J Andersonc Rahane b Ashwin11

Extras22

Total (in 104.5 overs) 317

FoW: 1-27, 2-32, 3-62, 4-62, 5-231, 6-231, 7-241, 8-241, 9-291

Bowling: Bumrah 29-8-86-5, Ishant 20-4-70-2, Ashwin 22.5-8-44-1, Shami 19-3-78-1, Pandya 14-5-22-1

Mumbai’s opening batsman Prithvi Shaw and Andhra Ranji captain G Hanuma Vihari have been added to India’s Test squad for the last two Tests at Southampton (August 30) and Oval (September 7). Out of form opener Murali Vijay and chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav were dropped. India’s squad for the fourth and fifth Tests against England: Virat Kohli (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Karun Nair, Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Hanuma Vihari