India vs England 2021, 3rd Test – Who Said What

Continuing their domination in Tests at home, India. on Thursday, thrashed England by ten wickets in the third Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. With the win, India have also taken an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match series. The game lasted less than two days as players from both sides struggled with the bat at the venue which was hosting an international game for the first time since 2014.

Set a target of just 49, India chased down the total with utmost ease with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill sharing an unbeaten 49-run stand. Having scored a fifty in the first innings, Rohit finished the game in style by smashing Joe Root for a six and remained unbeaten on 25. Gill, on other hand, remained not out on 15.

As far as England are concerned, they failed to deliver with the bat once again and were all out for just 81 in the second innings. After bowling out India for just 145 in the first innings, England had the chance to put themselves in a good position. However, their batsmen failed to capitalize on their bowlers’ good performance. Axar Patel wreaked havoc on the visitors, taking six wickets while Ravichandran Ashwin also picked up four wickets.

Earlier in the day, the tourists stunned the hosts by bowling them out for just 145. Starting the day on 99 for 3, India were in the driver’s seat. However, the visitors led by their captain Joe Root’s stunning display with the ball clawed their way back into the game. Root picked up career-best figures of 5 for 8 while Jack Leach picked up 4 wickets.

Axar Patel makes the difference

Axar Patel was the star of the show, taking 11 for 70 in the game. The left-arm spinner picked up 6 for 38 in the first innings before taking 5 for 32 in the second. His figures of 11 for 70 are now the best in day-night Tests. The record was previously held by Pat Cummins for his figures of 10 for 62 against Sri Lanka.  The fifer in the second innings was also third in a row for Axar who made his debut in the second Test of the ongoing series.

Winning captain, Virat Kohli said:

To be honest, I don’t think the quality of batting was up to standards. We were 100 for 3 and then got bowled out for less than 150. It was just the odd ball turning and it was a good wicket to bat in the first innings. It was bizzare that 21 of the 30 wickets fell to straight balls, Test cricket is about trusting your defence. Lack of application ensured it was a quick finish. Bumrah said I am getting work load management while playing.

Ishant said I am playing my 100th game and still don’t get to bowl. I have never experienced this before. A bizzare game which got over in 2 days. A lot of people were relieved when Jaddu got injured. But then this guy ( Axar Patel) comes in. Bowls it quicker and from a bigger height as well. I don’t know what is it with Gujarat and producing so many left arm spinners. You just cannot sweep this guy but you also can’t keep defending as he would just keep bowling at you. If the wicket has something in it, Axar is very lethal. I think we need to stand up and take notice of what Ashwin has done. In Tests, he is a modern day legend. As a captain, I am so pleased he is in my team. We have to be ready for the hard grind. Few days extra off with a hectic schedule is welcoming.

Losing captain, Joe Root:

We were 70 for 2. But we didn’t really capitalize on it. 250 on that wicket would have made it different. We will come back using this hurt and come back as a better team. The plastic coating on the ball gathered pace off the wicket. It was high quality bowling as well. Both sides struggled on that wicket. We don’t define ourselves on a performance like this. We shouldn’t have any baggage from the previous games going into the last game. We have seen with the ball in hand, we can pick up wickets. I think it sums up the wicket, if I am getting a fifer. Congratulations to Ishant for 100 Tests and Ashwin for 400 Test wickets.

Player of the match, Axar Patel said:

When it happens, it feels so easy. I am not thinking much. I want to continue this form. I am happy that if I am not contributing with the bat, I am doing it with the ball. My strength is to bowl wicket-to-wicket and not give him room. The mindset of batters is they play out couple of maidens, they either go for a sweep or try to hit over the infield. They call me Wasim bhai (Wasim Akram) because they feel my arm ball is very lethal. Ajju Bhai (Ajinkya Rahane) called me that and Pant has picked it up. I would want this wicket to remain the same for the final Test as well as I am picking up wickets.