England have recorded their first series win in India since 1985, drawing the fourth Test in Nagpur to take the contest two games to one after coming from one nil behind in spectacular fashion over the past month.
Ian Bell and Joe Root were in the middle when play was called off late on day five, Bell having scored a meticulous and valuable century, both from a personal and team perspective. Earlier in the day, Jonathan Trott had also made a ton, before falling to Ravi Ashwin for 143.
For a deck that was supposed to be a nightmare for the batsmen, the game saw more than 1000 runs scored, including the 352 for four England recorded in their second innings. Bell and Trott looked as comfortable as one could get during their century knocks.
England began the day on 161 for three, and Trott was on 66 and Bell on 24. The latter batted with more aggression in the morning, while Trott was happy to inch towards his ton and spent an age in the non-very-nervous nineties.
Trott reached lunch on 106 not out, while Ian batted patiently at the other end, and was on 61 at the break. India had seemingly accepted the game would end in a draw, slowing their over rate as they watched the lead climb to 244.
The most interesting part of the morning was that Sachin Tendulkar didn’t take the field, and while it was suspected that he’d picked up a neck or shoulder niggle, no confirmation was forthcoming.
The afternoon session was much of the same from the England batsmen as they merely tried to see out the day. Bell struck a huge six just for the fun of it, and Trott made his way closer to a 150.
The former South African’s double ton was not to be though as Ravi Ashwin finally ended his 310-ball knock. Trott edged a leg-side ball to Virat Kohli, who bagged it at leg slip, just before tea.
Debutant Joe Root came to the middle to see out the game, cap in place, and he struck a big six soon after getting off the mark, a stark contrast to the defensive way he batted in the first innings when making 73. He ended on 20 not out, while Bell was on 116.
This was India’s first home defeat since losing to Australia in 2004, and it was their first loss in front of their own fans under Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s captaincy. Alastair Cook, on the other hand, will always remember his first tour as skipper, where he broke a 27-year curse.
