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India won 4th Test by an innings and 36 runs, clinching the 5-match series 3-0 with a game to spare.
New Delhi: The year 2016 is turning out to be a dream year for the Indian cricket team in Tests as the Virat Kohli led squad completes a 3-0 series triumph over England with a game to spare in the 5-match series.
Day 5 of the 4th Test started with India in need of 4 wickets while England needed another 49 runs to make the hosts bat again in 2nd innings.
Ravichandran Ashwin started India’s proceedings with the ball and it didn’t take him long to claim first wicket of the day.
First Jonny Bairstow, then Chris Woakes, later Adil Rashid and finally Jimmy Anderson –
Ashwin picked up all four pending wickets as the visitors could only manage 13 runs on the day before being bundled up.
Apart from picking up a 12-wicket haul in the match, Ashwin also got the best bowling figures for a spinner at Wankhade stadium.
England captain Aalastair Cook expressed his disappointment on being ended up on the losing side despite putting up a 400-run total in first innings and conceded that their mistakes as a team cost them the match rather than India’s exceptional performance.
This is also only the third time a team batting first has made 400 and then lost by an innings – England twice and Sri Lanka once – which is a massive accomplishment for Kohli and his young squad.
Virat Kohli was named Man of the Match for his career best knock of 235 runs.
“It’s a very special feeling. The way the crowd came out here and supported it helped us push through the tough moments. The 231-run lead deflated the opposition, we saw their body language and knew the game was wrapped up when we had that lead,” said Virat in the post-match presentation.
Indian coach Anil Kumble also expressed extreme delight at the way India clinched the series, stating, “This is very special, we have lost three tosses. The 200-run stand between Jayant and Virat was exceptional. Ashwin has bowled beautifully throughout the series. He’s never happy or satisfied, that’s the best part about him. You can’t really compare different teams, but this is the No. 1 side in the world. They are exception in their intensity and awareness. Everyone has contributed. This team is certainly special.”
India now head to Chennai for the 5th and final Test hoping to wrap-up the series 4-0.
