The fifth and final Test match between India and England at the iconic Old Trafford was a fitting finale to an enthralling series. With both teams evenly matched, the match went down to the wire, keeping the fans on the edge of their seats until the last ball.
India’s strong start
India won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to capitalize on the favorable batting conditions. Openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a solid foundation, putting on a 126-run partnership before Gill was dismissed for a well-made 65. Rohit Sharma continued his fine form, scoring a masterful century to help India reach a comfortable 262/4 at the end of the first day.
England’s fightback
England’s bowlers returned strong on the second day, restricting India to 368. James Anderson was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets. In reply, England got off to a shaky start, losing their top order cheaply. However, Joe Root and Jos Buttler steadied the innings with a crucial partnership of 131 runs. Root scored a magnificent 150, while Buttler contributed a valuable 70. England ended the day at 253/5, still trailing by 115 runs.
A tense final day
The final day of the match was a nail-biter. England resumed their innings at 253/5, needing another 116 runs to win. India’s spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, kept things tight, taking wickets at regular intervals. However, Jonny Bairstow held firm at the other end, scoring a gritty 57. The tension was palpable with the equation down to just 12 runs off the last over. Jasprit Bumrah bowled a fantastic final over, conceding just five runs and taking two wickets to seal a thrilling victory for India by seven runs.
Key takeaways from the match
The contest served as a showcase for both sides’ tenacity.
India’s openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, provided a solid foundation for the team.
Joe Root’s brilliant century kept England in the hunt.
Jasprit Bumrah’s nerveless bowling in the final over won India the match.
Conclusion
The India vs England Test series was a pulsating affair, with each match going down to the wire. The final Test at Old Trafford was a fitting finale, showcasing the best of Test cricket. With both teams evenly matched, it promises to be an exciting battle in the years to come.
In addition to the above, here are some other interesting facts about the match:
This was the first time India had won a Test match at Old Trafford since 2007.
Jasprit Bumrah was awarded the Player of the Match award for his performance in the final over.
The win gave India a 2-1 series victory.