Axar Patel & Ravichandran Ashwin took five wickets each on day three as India beat England by an innings and 25 runs to make it to the World Test Championship final. They have also topped the table with 520 points in the process. New Zealand who reached the final way ahead of India have dropped to the second position in the points table. The Indian spinners finished the series with 59 wickets together with Ashwin picking up 32 wickets and Axar 27.More about the day 3 report in detail below.
Resuming day 3 on 294/7, Washington Sundar (96*) and Axar Patel (43) went onto add a century stand which helped India post a total of 365. Nearing his maiden century, Sundar ran out of batting partners as he was left stranded on 96. He started day 3 on 60 and played watchfully to bring up his maiden Test ton. He was ably supported by Axar Patel at the other end as the duo added a 106-run stand.
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Both Sundar and Axar played the situation very well and capitalised on the first session extending their overnight stand. India had scored quickly in the partnership before Axar Patel was run-out at the non-striker’s end in an attempt to help Sundar get close to his personal milestone. The Indian scorecard read 365 after Axar’s dismissal.
Ben Stokes picked up India’s final two wickets in the same over. First, he trapped Ishant Sharma plumb in front of the wicket. A couple of balls later, he went through the defenses of Mohammed Siraj.
India Makes It To World Test Championship Final
When it was England’s turn to bat the second time around, they were 125 adrift and had a mountain to climb. Ravichandran Ashwin picked two wickets in an over which started the England slide.
The visitors lost wickets at regular intervals with the England batsmen finding it tough to tackle the Indian spinners. Axar Patel bagged his fourth five-wicket haul with a few unplayable deliveries that h bowled.
Ravichandran Ashwin, on the other hand, picked up 32 wickets in the series. Without Ravindra Jadeja in the series, Ashwin had to step up and he did it beautifully. He was also adjudged the Man of the Series as he finished the series with 32 wickets and 189 runs
England, on the other hand, were completely outplayed. They finished the championship with 442 points and fourth on the table. Meanwhile, this was India’s 13th straight Test series win at home.
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