India sealed a convincing innings victory over England in the fifth Test in Dharamsala, winning the series 4-1. R Ashwin starred with nine wickets in his 100th Test, showcasing his class and experience.
England’s hopes of a miraculous turnaround were shattered as they collapsed in their second innings. Ashwin’s mesmerizing spell before lunch on the third day saw him claim four of England’s top six batsmen, including openers for just two runs and the captain, Ben Stokes, with the last ball before lunch.
Despite a brief counterattack from Jonny Bairstow, who hit three consecutive sixes off Ashwin, England could not recover. Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav’s spin proved too much to handle, with Kuldeep finishing the match with crucial wickets.
The series showcased the gulf in class between the two sides, with India’s batting onslaughts and skillful bowling proving too much for England to handle. James Anderson achieved a personal milestone by claiming his 700th Test wicket, but it was not enough to stop India’s dominance.
Rahul Dravid said
Rahul Dravid expressed gratitude for his support staff, highlighting Rohit Sharma‘s exceptional leadership. He praised the efforts of Ajit Agarkar and his team for their role in selecting domestic players, acknowledging their significant contribution. Dravid’s comments underscore the collaborative effort and teamwork within the coaching and selection setup, emphasizing the importance of a cohesive unit in achieving success.
“I’m privileged to work with a fantastic support staff. Rohit has been phenomenal to work with, he’s a great leader. A shoutout to Ajit Agarkar and his team as well and they have pushed the selection of domestic players,” the head coach said.
India’s victory was a team effort, with contributions from several players, including Shoaib Bashir’s five-wicket haul in England’s first innings and important knocks from Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Devdutt Padikkal, and Sarfaraz Khan in India’s innings.
The series win solidifies India’s position as one of the top Test teams in the world, while England will have to regroup and rethink their strategy before their next series.
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