India started the fourth day of the Southampton Test on a positive note, as both Stuart Broad and Sam Curran departed within the initial twenty minutes. However, on a somewhat uneven wicket, it was certainly difficult to chase 245 runs in fourth innings.

The Indian opening order crumbled again, as Stuart Broad and James Anderson wreaked havoc with their exceptional display of seam bowling with the new ball. Rahul was undone by a delivery that stayed very low after pitching straight, and Dhawan was caught on slips by Ben Stokes courtesy a delivery through James Anderson.

With 18/2, Virat Kohli arrived on the crease and, along with Ajinkya Rahane, stitched a reliable partnership that could have taken India over the finishing line. However, the visitors’ overdependence on the duo proved costly, as Moeen Ali claimed Kohli’s wicket right after the Indian captain completed his half-century.

The likes of Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant failed to apply themselves properly on the field, especially the latter, who should have spent more time on the field after having scored 18 runs off 12 deliveries. Ali dismissed Rahane too, and the off-spinner’s disciplined approach earned him some crucial wickets at integral moments of the game.

 Eventually, Sam Curran got Ravichandran Ashwin out through LBW, and England cruised towards a victory by 60 runs.

They have effectively sealed the series even before the commencement of the final match, and this defeat further demonstrated India’s tendency to lose matches despite being in strong, winning positions in the fourth innings.

 

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