ENGLAND v/s INDIA, 2024

Ashwin and Bumrah shine in India’s game-changing series-levelling victory.

Jasprit Bumrah sealed India’s triumph by claiming three wickets in the second innings, completing a remarkable total of nine wickets in the match.

As they had pledged, England put up a resilient effort in the pursuit; however, India continuously made breakthroughs to secure a 106-run victory, leveling the series 1-1.

England’s pursuit, amassing 292 runs, the second-highest team score in the match, was spearheaded by the astute Zak Crawley, who notched twin fifties and top-scored with 73.

The chase commenced with Rehan Ahmed, the overnight batsman, displaying free-hitting early in the day, while Rohit Sharma persisted with Axar Patel.

The breakthrough eventually came after a 45-run partnership when Rehan played across a delivery that slid on and kept low, resulting in an LBW dismissal.

Despite England’s aggressive approach, Ollie Pope made a brisk start.

Crawley remained the most composed among the batsmen, utilizing his reach effectively and executing calculated shots to counteract the mounting pressure.

R Ashwin introduced drift and loop against the right-handers from around the wicket, posing challenges to both edges.

He dismissed Pope with a sharp catch at slip by Rohit and outsmarted an attacking Joe Root in flight, inducing another catch.

Crawley, in tandem with Bairstow, countered with a rapid 40-run partnership.

The turning point arrived when India benefited from two close LBW decisions in their favor late in the session.

Kuldeep dismissed Crawley with a skidder, confirmed through a review, while Bumrah trapped Bairstow leg before on umpire’s call after a sequence of away-going deliveries.

Entering the final session, England required 205 more runs with only four wickets in hand, including skipper Ben Stokes.

Stokes, accompanied by Ben Foakes, approached the session with a blend of caution and aggression.

However, his attempt at a quick single resulted in a direct hit from Shreyas Iyer, ending the skipper’s innings.

At 220/7, the chase seemed nearly concluded, but England’s resistance persisted with a 55-run partnership between Tom Hartley and Foakes.

Just as the duo whittled away at the deficit, Rohit brought in Bumrah, who promptly deceived Foakes with a slower ball.

With some reverse swing, Mukesh Kumar dismissed Shoaib Bashir before Bumrah fittingly concluded proceedings by bowling out Hartley.

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