A dominant India today completed formalities by crushing England in the fourth cricket Test by a whopping innings and 36 runs margin to take clinch the five-Test series 3-0. Spin wizard Ravichandran Ashwin blew away the lower order with another superb effort of 6 for 55 as England were bundled out for 195 in 55.3 overs with just eight overs being required on the final day.
This is the first time in India that a visiting team has lost a Test match after scoring 400 runs in their first innings. Ashwin got his 7th 10-wicket haul in Test cricket to finish with match-figures of 12 for 167 and is now only has chief coach Anil Kumble's milestone of eight 10-fors in-front of him. This is also the sixth successive series win under Virat Kohli having started the juggernaut in Bangladesh (1 Test) last year, followed by Sri Lanka (away), South Africa (home), West Indies (away), New Zealand (home) and now England.
The series win also meant that India regained the Anthony de Mello Trophy having lost it to Alastair Cook's men in 2012. The next Test in Chennai starting December 16-20 has now been rendered inconsequential. There was no resistance from England in the morning session as Ashwin took four wickets in four overs to complete the formality. Jonny Bairstow (51) was out to a carrom ball, Chris Woakes (0) was dismissed by an off-break while adil Rashid's flick to deep mid-wicket completed his 24th five-wicket haul in Tests.
The moment Anderson flicked one to Umesh Yadav, it was all over in a flash as Ashwin and centurion Murali Vijay picked up a stump as a souvenir. Acknowledging the capacity Wankhede crowd which has provided vociferous support, the Indian team led by their charismatic skipper took a lap of honour as the entire stadium gave them a standing ovation. It was a Test match where India literally dominated the proceedings save the first day.
Skipper Kohli again led from the front with an inspirational show that saw him pile up 640 runs in four Test matches with an astounding average of 128. His 'go-to' man Ashwin also intimidated the visitors with 27 wickets in the series. Not to forget 239 runs with the bat. Rookie Jayant Yadav has been the find of the series with 221 runs and 9 wickets so far. The supporting cast of Cheteshwar Pujara (385 runs), Murali Vijay (328 runs) and Ravindra Jadeja (16 wickets) have also played their parts admirably. The Indian team members were charged up in the morning especially after Jimmy Anderson's uncharitable comments about Virat Kohli being only good in Indian conditions.
The moment Anderson came into bat, the Indian fielders gathered around him to have a word. There was a brief hold up as umpires spoke to spinners Ashwin and Jadeja. The day started with Ashwin finishing his incomplete over in which he had packed off Ball last evening. After Jadeja bowled his first over, things started happening as Ashwin trapped Bairstow leg before with fuller length ball that the batsman, who was unbeaten 50 last evening, tried to turn towards leg-side.
The decision was reviewed by the batsman but stayed as it was an umpire's call. Ashwin then bowled Woakes through the gates with a superb off-break which the batsman tried to drive and then followed it up by having Rashid and Anderson caught in the outfield when trying to give charge.
It was all over before the crowd had even settled down. Among the other major accomplishments, India won three Tests against England in a bilateral series after nearly 23 and half years. The last time was in 1993 season when Graham Gooch's men were crushed 3-0 by Mohammed Azharuddin's team. Post that series, India never won three Test matches in any of the four series played at home in 2001-02, 2006, 2008 and 2012.
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