196 runs, 319 runs and then by an innings and 242 runs. As the margins of defeat suggest, the gulf between England and India has only got bigger with each passing match. For the first time since 1999, India has lost 3 tests in a series. Not only has India surrendered its numero uno rank in the test arena, this is also the first series loss for skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The visitors now have their pride at stake and will look to avoid an embarrassing 4-0 whitewash when the two teams square off in the fourth and final test of the series at The Oval on Thursday.
The home team has been on a dream run of late and there hasn’t been a single department where the team has been found wanting. While the seam bowlers have been brilliant, never allowing the famed Indian batting line up to go past 300 even once in six attempts, the batsmen too have consistently raked up huge scores and put the visitors under pressure.
England:
The hosts had originally named an unchanged squad for the fourth test, giving Ravi Bopara another chance in place of the injured Jonathan Trott. The openers' quiet performances in the first two tests was the only concern for the Englishmen heading into the third test, but with a superb 294 from the Ashes hero Alastair Cook and skipper Andrew Strauss’s return to form, that box has been ticked off as well. The middle order has also been in good form with Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan and Matt Prior all scoring centuries in this series. The lower order is now considered as the most capable tail of all English teams and has more than wagged whenever called into action.
If the batting looks good, the bowling has been devastating. The pace bowlers have shown tremendous form and never let the intensity down at any moment. James Anderson and Stuart Broad have led the way with 39 wickets between them. Tim Bresnan, who made it to the playing eleven only due to an injury to Chris Tremlett, has also proven his worth with 12 scalps which includes one five wicket haul. The depth of the side can be gauged by the fact that despite the loss of first choice Tremlett, who has been ruled out of the final test due to a back injury, the hosts have another able replacement in Graham Onions. James Anderson is a slight doubt for the final test due to a quadricep injury, and Steve Finn, who was in the squad for the third test will take his place should the need arise. The only concern remains in the spin department as Graeme Swann hasn’t been in his element and has conceded runs at over 4 an over. That could change at the Oval, a ground generally known to be the biggest turner in the country.
India:
The Indian batting line up in the third test was the strongest one they have on offer at present, but it still wasn’t able to last even 3 sessions in either innings. Despite the presence so many big names, their regular failures has been baffling. Their impact player Virender Sehwag, who made a comeback to the international arena at Edgbaston, lasted just two balls, picking up a king’s pair. His opening partner Gautam Gambhir has found the seaming conditions in England a bit tough to handle and is yet to make a decent contribution. The experienced middle order trio of Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendukar and VVS Laxman, quite uncharacteristically too have floundered, wilting under the pressure exerted by the England bowlers. The only solace for the visitors has been the return to form of captain MS Dhoni, who batting with the tail made 70 odd in both innings. With the conditions at The Oval being more batting friendly, the Indians need to show more application and look to bat for long hours and put up a big score to put England under pressure.
Seamers Ishant Sharma and S Sreesanth have bowled well in patches but they just haven't picked up enough wickets in the series. With RP Singh and Munaf Patel both available for selection and the series already lost, it will probably make sense to let them have a go, rather than going in with the tried and tested (and unsuccessful). Leggie Amit Mishra got some purchase from the pitch at Edgbaston but didn’t pose enough questions for Cook & Co. he also needs to work on his tendency to bowl no balls as it can cost India dearly.
No doubt england have been the far superior team in this series,maybe its just a matter of time before the indian guns start blazing and salvage some pride....Its been hard on the players,and shameful also,but a test win now can boost them before the One day series.And a defeat,4-0 whitewash and rank 3rd in the world.
All eyes on the oval now...lets hope for another exciting test match.
Hope india can regain its pride in the final test.
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