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Team India on Monday inflicted a first-ever series loss on England in the ‘Bazball’ era, beating the visitors by 5 wickets in the fourth Test in Ranchi. The hosts, who lost the series opener in Hyderabad, relied on youth for the ongoing series and decision has paid off, with India going 3-1 up in the series, ahead of the final game in Dharamsala next month. Chasing 192 to win, India were moving strongly at 84/0 before the England spinners troubled them on the either side on Lunch on Day 2. However, Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel remained unbeaten to take across the finishing line.
England had reduced India to 120/5 after Lunch before Gill (52 not out) and Jurel (39 not out) survived a tricky period to seal the win and series for India.
With the win, India consolidated their 2nd position in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table for the 2023-25 cycle. With five wins from eight matches, India’s PCT rose to 64.58 from 59.52.
New Zealand sit top of the WTC points table with a PCT of 75. The Kiwis have won three of their four games in the current cycle.
Gill and Jurel’s unbeaten 72-run stand played a pivotal role after Shaoib Bashir and Tom Hartley inflicted a flurry of wickets in a quick session.
The second session saw momentum shift like a pendulum, in favour of both teams. Ravindra Jadeja and Shubman Gill continued to drive India’s score but Shoaib Bashir’s arrival forced India to go on the backfoot.
He dismissed Jadeja for 4 and, on the next ball, got Sarfaraz Khan for a golden duck. Jurel came in and had a few nervous moments but settled on quickly.
As England made India work hard for each run, both batters showed grit throughout their stay as the equation slowly started to come down. With 20 runs needed, Gill opened his arms and struck back-to-back sixes to bring India within touching distance of victory.
He raised his bat for a well deserved half century and the crowd stood up to applaud the 24-year-old for his valiant effort.
Jurel scored a boundary and then picked up a double to get India across the finishing line and seal the series.
Gill and Jurel remained unbeaten with scores of 52 and 39, respectively. This is India’s 17th straight series win at home.
(With ANI Inputs)
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