Five-Test series squared at 1-1 after India’s two best bowlers proved too good in Visakhapatnam
Match Report:
ScorecardBumrah, Ashwin step up as India level series against England
Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah claimed three wickets each to bowl India to a 106-run victory in the second Test against England.
Chasing a victory target of 399, England were looking good at 1-95 before losing five wickets in the morning session in Visakhapatnam on Monday as India set about levelling the series.
Opener Zak Crawley struck 73, with Ben Foakes (36) and Tom Hartley (36) producing defiant knocks down the order, but England were eventually dismissed for 292 in the second session on day four.
Rohit Sharma is one happy captain after #TeamIndia levelled the series 1⃣-1⃣ in Vizag! 👏 👏#INDvENG | @ImRo45 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/Ogf5yY1MaD
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 5, 2024
"We know winning a Test match in these conditions is not going to be easy, but the bowlers stepped up," said India captain Rohit Sharma.
"The wicket was good to bat on, a lot of the batters got starts but didn't convert.
"This win gives us a lot of confidence, (I'm) very proud of such a young squad."
The victory attracted high praise from retired Indian superstar Sachin Tendulkar, who knows a thing or two about the sport, having scored the most Test runs in history (15,921 runs, including 51 centuries).
What a fantastic game of cricket we have had here!
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 5, 2024
Fabulous performance by India. The series is beautifully poised at 1-1!#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/l6QMO78xf3
Former captain Virat Kohli missed the first two Tests for personal reasons and India were also without batter KL Rahul and allrounder Ravindra Jadeja after they picked up injuries in the series opener in Hyderabad.
Left-arm spinner Axar Patel removed Rehan Ahmed, who did a decent job as England's nightwatchman by scoring a brisk 23 after play resumed on Monday.
Ashwin then rattled England by dismissing Ollie Pope and Joe Root in successive overs.
Pope made 23 before edging to Rohit Sharma's outstretched left hand at slip.
Sharp Reflexes edition, ft. captain Rohit Sharma! 👌 👌
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 5, 2024
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/X85JZGt0EV#TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @ImRo45 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/mPa0lUXC4C
Root, nursing a finger injury, smashed Patel for a six but gifted his wicket when he danced down the track to Ashwin and top-edged a catch to Patel at backward point.
Crawley batted with characteristic aggression, and Jonny Bairstow (26) also looked set, before they departed in successive overs before lunch.
England's hopes were effectively snuffed out when captain Ben Stokes was run out for 11.
Foakes and Hartley refused to throw in the towel, prompting Rohit to bring back Bumrah.
The pace spearhead had Foakes caught and bowled with a slower delivery, before Hartley had his stumps rearranged by a Bumrah outswinger.
"We had full belief we could chase down 399," Stokes said after the match.
"The way we applied ourselves and tried to put the India bowling attack under pressure was great."
Bumrah's nine-wicket match haul in a spin-dominated contest earned him the player-of-the-match award.
The third Test in Rajkot begins on February 15.