Mohali: The inevitable happened, but it took a little long coming as India cantered to an eight-wicket win over England in the third cricket Test here Tuesday at the IS Bindra Stadium with a day to spare. It was only Haseeb Hameed’s (59 n o, 156b, 6×4) defiant resistance that took the game to the third session, but then the issue was never in doubt after India had got rid of Joe Root (78, 179b, 6×4) in the second hour of play.
England finished on 236 setting India a target of 103 runs which they duly achieved as Parthiv Patel (67 n o, 54b, 11×4, 1×6) played a flamboyant knock to fashion the chase. India thus took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series and with only two Tests to go, India are now in a commanding position with no chance of ending on the losing side.
England resuming at 78 for four were just hoping for Root to perform a miracle. He did erase England’s deficit, but then the miracle that England expected of him did not happen as the Indian bowlers both pacers and spinners stuck to a nagging length and line.
Ravindra Jadeja (2/62) started England’s downfall by having Gareth Batty leg before with his second delivery of the day. Jos Buttler (18) batted with purpose, but as his wont, tried to take the battle to the opposition, something which was not possible on this pitch. An attacking shot too many saw him holing out to Jadeja in the deep off Jayant Yadav (2/21). And when Root departed with the score on 152 – a fantastic diving catch to his left at slip by Ajinkya Rahane off Jadeja – it was all over bar the shouting for England.
Mohammed Shami (2/37) came back to polish off the tail after Hameed and Chris Woakes (30) had provided a semblance of a resistance. Sad that the Test marked the end of Hameed’s tour as he will have to return to have surgery on his injured finger, but during his tenure at the crease the 19-year-old displayed maturity far beyond his years. It was a lesson for his more illustrious teammates can follow.
When India embarked on their target chase, Murali Vijay once more fell to the short ball (the fourth time in five innings) early on. But India were never going to be bothered and riding on Patel’s blazing knock, they finished off the game quickly. Patel’s performance would certainly pose a few teasers to the selectors once Wridhhiman Saha gets fit.
But then no one is complaining after such a comprehensive win.
Self belief has helped us: Kohli
Indian skipper Virat Kohli stated after winning the Test against England here Tuesday that the idea ‘India can only win on square turners’ has drastically changed in the last 12 months.
“We drew a lot of flak after winning the series against South Africa… unnecessarily though,” Kohli told reporters after the end of the game. “People are now asking as to how a side which could only win on turning tracks is also winning on good wickets. By no means, the Mohali pitch is a turner,” asserted the Indian skipper.
Kohli also stated that the transformation has been possible simply because the boys have focused on playing good cricket. “We don’t concentrate on what is happening outside. All we do is focus on playing positive, aggressive brand of cricket and that has been the reason of our success. I hope people will stop asking me as to why we win only on turners like they used to do 12 months ago,” shot back the Indian skipper. 
Kohli also had a lot of praise for pacer Mohammed Shami and said that the paceman has improved of age since returning from injury. “He has become stronger, can bowl for long spells and has turned out to be a very good Test bowler,” informed Kohli. “He is someone who is always striving to get wickets… he knows his strengths and weaknesses and bowls accordingly.”
Reserve opener
Parthiv Patel’s positive batting with scores of 42 and 67 not out have impressed skipper Virat Kohli so much that he did not rule out a possibility that along with second wicket-keeeper’s slot, the Gujarat stumper could also be an option as back-up opener. Asked if Parthiv could be KL Rahul’s back-up Virat sounded optimistic, “Wow, that’s a good headache to be honest. You never know, there are all kinds of possibilities. The way he (Patel) approached both the innings, it was amazing to see. The intent he showed in both innings deflated the opposition. Definitely he will be in contention,” informed Kohli here Tuesday.