England vs India: 5th Test- Who Said What

The fifth and final Test between England and India at Kennington Oval in London was a dead rubber for the reason that the Three Lions had already won the series 1-3 after their 60-run triumph at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton. In the end, the Three Lions comprehensively won the match by a significant margin of 118 runs to clinically clinch the five-match series 4-1.

Jadeja helps India restore sanity

After Joe Root won the toss and decided to bat first, the match was a witness to a roller coaster ride. Jos Buttler’s resolute 89 coupled with resilience from the lower order guided the Three Lions to a substantial total of 332 runs. From India’s perspective, Ravindra Jadeja picked up four crucial wickets along with three-wicket hauls from Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma.

The visiting team lost wickets in quick succession and needed a couple of half-centuries from Hanuma Vihari and Jadeja to bail them out of the precarious position. Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara promised only to be dismissed later. Despite the efforts, India conceded a substantial lead of 40 runs. Stuart Broad, Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes nipped out two wickets.

Pant and Rahul couldn’t defy the inevitable

Kohli’s men started well with the wicket of Keaton Jennings and Moeen Ali. Nevertheless, Alastair Cook and Moeen Ali had other ideas. The duo batted on and put on 259 runs for the third wicket. Most importantly, they scored centuries to virtually bat India out of the match. Small blitz from Stokes, Curran, and Rashid helped the Brits set a target of 464 for the visitors to chase down.

India’s chase got off to the worst possible start as they lost Shikhar Dhawan, Pujara and Kohli for two runs in a space of 20 balls. Thereafter, KL Rahul and Rishabh dictated terms and put on a stand of 204 runs. Just when the stand threatened to win the match for India, both batsmen perished. The Poms picked up the remaining wickets effortlessly to bring the curtains down on the series.

Player of the Match, Alastair Cook said

It has been the most amazing week. Got a text from Beefy (Ian Botham) and he said ‘Can I have your script writer?’ The memories shared with my team is what I’ll miss the most. Some very good moments. Today it showed how tough Test cricket can be. I leave with great memories. To see Jimmy go past Glenn McGrath was brilliant. Just has been a privilege to have played with England’s greatest cricketer. No disrespect to any other cricketer. He almost takes it for granted that he will hit the length from ball one. It is fitting that he got the last wicket. You miss all the highs. I would miss playing for this team. This week can’t be beaten. I can walk away with my head held high.

Here is what Virat Kohli, the Indian captain and India’s Man of the Series, said

I think a lot of credit has to go to the two young guys. The kind of cricket we have played might not show on the scorecard. But both the teams know this series has been a competitive one. This has been a great advert for Test cricket. The basic idea was to go out there and play the cricket we are supposed to do. England are a professional side and we realized that as the game changed with in two-three overs. Pant showed a lot of grit and character. We have character in the team and we just need some experience. When you get into a zone when you are not thinking about the result, things go your way.

I am delighted for both the guys and it speaks of India’s future. We did not take out oppurtunities. England also don’t go for draws and they played fearless cricket and so did we. That is why you won’t see draws in these kind of Series’. We can take a lot of heart from this but apply ourselves better the next time around. There is a reason why we voted Sam to be the Man of the series. It takes character to come in and play like that. He put England forward in the 1st and 4th Test match. There should be exiciting pitches all over the result. The fans will come and watch if both teams play for a win. Just one word for Cook. You have had a great career. All the best for all your future endveaours.

Here is Joe Root, the English skipper, said

It has been a very tough series. India have played some exceptional cricket. Everyone watching would have been thrilled as well. India batted really well to get into that position in the final session. I mean Alastair has been such an exceptional player for a long time. He has been a huge part of our dressing room. Jimmy has a lot left I am sure. To achieve what he has is unbelievable. He has been bowling as well as he ever has. Hopefully, he can continue for many more years. We are growing all the time. Some young guys have stood up and performed. We have a lot of learning to do.

Sam Curran, England’s Man of the Series, said

It is just nice to be involved in such a historic series. To win the series and send off Cookie, it is phenomenal. Playing with the likes of Broady, Jimmy and Stokes, It has been a good learning curve. I think consistency is the main thing. Don’t look too far ahead. Hopefully, I can keep contributing. Missing out on the second game and then coming back to contribute was a great thing for me.

For more news and developments, stay tuned on CricTracker.com.