In a spectacular display of resilience, India registered victory in the fourth Test against England in Ranchi, clinching the Anthello De Meelo Trophy 2024 with one Test remaining in Dharamsala. The victory was fueled by the determined partnership of Dhruv Jurel and Shubman Gill, who steered India to triumph with a resilient sixth-wicket stand of 72 runs.
Challenging chase and setbacks
Chasing a challenging target of 192, to establish a 3-1 lead in the five-match series, India commenced their second innings on Day 4 with an overnight score of 40/0. The opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed significantly with a partnership of 84 runs for the first wicket. However, England’s Joe Root broke the partnership by dismissing Jaiswal, triggering a series of setbacks for India.
Despite Rohit’s composed half-century, the Indian batting lineup faced regular disruptions as the chase lost momentum. Rohit fell to Tom Hartley‘s bowling, caught behind, further adding to the challenge. Rajat Patidar‘s struggles continued, departing for a duck as Shoaib Bashir‘s sharp-turning delivery found success.
Double blow by Shoaib Bashir
At lunch, India were 118/3 but slipped further to 120/5 early in the second session, with Bashir claiming quick wickets, dismissing Ravindra Jadeja and Sarfaraz Khan. Jadeja chipped a full toss in the hands of Jonny Bairstow, while Sarfaraz was caught at backward short leg. Ben Stokes confidently overturned the original not-out decision using the DRS.
Resilience shown by Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel
After the quick exits of Jadeja and Khan, Gill and Jurel undertook a crucial resurrection job, guiding India to victory without further damage. Their approach involved taking their time, holding guard, and playing eye-pleasing shots that significantly contributed to India’s triumph.
Gill showcased his batting prowess with a solid contribution, accumulating a noteworthy 52 runs during the partnership. His composed innings played a pivotal role in stabilizing India’s chase and steering them closer to the target. Jurel, playing in only his second Test, delivered a crucial knock, adding 39 runs to the partnership. His grit and determination were evident as he played a vital role in securing the much-needed runs for India in their pursuit of victory
Earlier match summary
Earlier in the match, England, after winning the toss, opted to bat first. Despite a challenging situation at 113/5, they managed to post a competitive total of 352 runs, courtesy of a stellar century from Joe Root. The skipper’s partnership with pacer Ollie Robinson, who registered his fifty in the longest format, played a pivotal role in England’s comeback with the bat.
In reply, Jurel’s fighting 91, accompanied by Kuldeep Yadav‘s gritty 28, guided India to a total of 309, providing a slender 46-run lead.
In a dramatic turn, England failed to capitalize on the lead and collapsed for 145 in their second innings, with Ravichandran Ashwin claiming a fifer and Kuldeep contributing with four crucial wickets. With this comprehensive win, India secured an undisputed lead of 3-1 in the series, setting the stage for the final Test in Dharamshala.
