KL Rahul- Rishabh Pant’s heroics go in vain as India lose test series 4-1 against England
The last match of the five-Test series between India and England was played at the Oval. India lost by 118 runs in this match. India were set a the target of 464 runs to win but despite the century of opener Lokesh Rahul and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, the Indian team was dismissed for 345 in the second innings. With the loss in this match, India lost the five-Test series 1-4. Team India went to England for the first time in the Test series under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. This test was the last Test match of Alastair Cook in which he scored a century.
Earlier, England scored 423 runs at the loss of 8 wickets on the back of centuries from captain Joe Root and Alastair Cook in the second innings and a huge lead of 463 runs against India. India got a target of 464 runs to win.
Even in the second innings against England, the start of the Indian team was very bad. Opener Shikhar Dhawan became the victim of James Anderson and got out with just one run in the second innings. Anderson made Cheteshwar Pujara his second victim and as the batsman was dismissed without opening his account. Captain Virat was also dismissed by Stuart Broad for the naught at the hands of Bairstow. India made a disastrous start losing 3 wickets for just 2 runs on the board and it looked that the team wouldn’t even last a session.
Ajinkya Rahane, who showed some reistance, was dismissed by Moin Ali. Rahane caught by Jennings. He faced 106 balls and scored 37 runs. Debutant Hanuma Vihari, who became the subject of discussion with his excellent batting in the first innings, was out for 0 in the second innings. He could not even open his account on Ben Stokes’s ball and Bairstow took his catch behind the wicket. Lokesh Rahul, who faced 224 balls, scored 149 runs. Adil Rashid bowled him but not before Rahul made a record 204-run partnership with Rishabh Pant for the sixth wicket. Adil Rashid was also dismissed by Rishabh Pant, who was batting brilliantly. Rishabh Pant became the first Indian wicketkeeper batsman to score a century in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) in just his thrid game as he smashed Adil Rashid for 6 à la Sehwag style to bring up his century. He too soon followed Rahul back in the pavillion. Jadeja who was the top scorer in the first innings was caught by Bairstow on 13 runs . Ishant Sharma was dismissed for five runs. Mohammad Shami was dismissed by Anderson to claim his third scalp of the series and go past Australian great Glenn McGrath as the highest wicket taking fast bowler.
In the second innings James Anderson took three, Sam Qurrn and Adil Rashid two each while Broad, Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes took one wicket each.
