A day/night test completed in just over five sessions would be a significant talking point in the coming days. Still, putting that aside for a moment, an absolute cracker of a test in Ahmedabad helped India take a 2-1 lead in Thursday’s 4-match series against England in Ahmedabad. India achieved the victory comprehensively in just 7.4 overs and 10 wickets in hand, chasing a tiny target of 49. But the day’s huge talking point was the dropping of 17 wickets. At Narendra Modi Stadium, it was an utter carnage as batsmen from both teams struggled miserably against the opposition’s spin attack.
First, the Indian team, who, in response to England’s 112 in the first innings, was bundled out for 145, losing their last 7 wickets for just 46 runs. Many felt England might make a solid turnaround in the Test, but in the second innings, the spin duo of Axar Patel and R Ashwin ran through England’s batting order to return the favor. Ashwin scalped four to join the record books while Axar picked up his second fifer, fourth Indian to take 400 Test wickets after Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble, and Harbhajan Singh.Sundar also caught a wicket more toward the end as in their second innings, England was bowled out for 81 — their lowest ever total against India — setting a paltry 49-run target for the hosts. In the final session, India then confidently chased down the mark.
India has now also reinforced its chances of qualifying for the final ICC World Test Championship with the victory. To get a spot in the final, India has to escape a loss in the last Test. If the final Test is won by England and the series ends in a 2-2 draw, Australia will reach New Zealand’s final.