Mumbai: India defeated England by an innings and 25 runs on the third day of the fourth Test to clinch the series 3-1. With the victory, India qualified for the World Test Championship final. India has now won 13 consecutive Test series at home.
The home side had to either win or draw the series-finale and they moved into the WTC final in the most dominant manner.
The spinner continued to rule the roost in the final innings as well – R Ashwin and Axar Patel both hit five-sixes. Indian spinners made an immediate impact and pushed the visitors back with 6 wickets in a season. Route 72 and Johnny Bairstow failed to open their account. Those who failed the spin test were Ben Stokes (2), Jack Crowley (5), Dominic Sibley (3) and Ollie Pope (15).
Dan Lawrence, batting at 7, was the only batsman to touch the 50-run mark. The right-handed batsman faced defeat by batting on 95 balls. He showed some resistance with Ben Fox (13 for 46), both scoring 44 runs for the seventh wicket in the 18th over. England lost 3 wickets in the next 11.4 overs and was piled on for 135 runs.
Earlier in the day, India added 71 runs for their 294/7 total and finished at 365. Washington Sundar once again missed a magnificent century as he was out of the partners at the other end. The 21-year-old remained unbeaten on 96 runs in 174 runs.
With the victory in the 4th Test, India finished the series with a 3–1 win. Their only defeat was in the opening Test, where England batted for 190.1 overs in the first innings.
This is Team India’s second consecutive Test series win over England. Both teams are also slated to play 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs.
The Virat Kohli-led side will be facing Kane Williamson’s New Zealand in the summit clash at Lord’s in June.
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