Whitewashed! Clinical England topples India from no.1 spot

Scorecard

To save the fourth Test, India were needed to raise the bar on the fifth day. They managed to lower it further, thereby slipping to No 3 in the world. It was yet another day of batting disaster for India.

From 262 for three, they ended up being all out for 283, seven wickets falling in a space of just over 15 overs and 21 runs. It was not a collapse but a fall from the grace.

Before the Test, Mahendra Singh Dhoni talked of playing for pride. There was no evidence of it on the fifth day of the fourth Test. Even the skipper himself was guilty of playing a horrible shot. The expected whitewash hit hard on team’s face, as England ran away 4-0 winners. The end came much before one had expected on Monday as England won the Test by an innings and eight runs. It was a whimpering end to a day that was full of promise. Sachin Tendulkar raised hopes of reaching his much-awaited milestone and Amit Mishra displayed the dexterity of a seasoned batsman in testing conditions.

The two overnight batsmen batted, batted and batted. India did not lose a wicket in the first session. That truly was not an achievement to rhapsodise about but it was happening for the first time in the series for India. From 129 for three, India went to lunch at 216 for three.

Tendulkar and Mishra were part of another feat. The two batsmen recorded a 100-run partnership. What’s the big deal one may say. It was the second three-figure association between the Indians. Never before in the series, Indian players would have enjoyed their lunch more.

At the break, Tendulkar was unbeaten on 72, right on track for the 100th century and Mishra had just completed his second half-century. In a series of rare batting feats, Mishra’s effort was a refreshing change. His exhibition of technique to turning and bouncing ball would have made Rahul Dravid proud. At some stages, he looked better than Tendulkar.

But India’s joy was shortlived. Post lunch, things changed in a flash. Mishra, who looked like he would overtake Tendulkar in reaching century, was foxed by Graeme Swann. It was a rare lapse from Mishra, who made amends with the bat for his failure with the ball. The nighwatchman had batted for more than three hours.

That wicket, after a 144-run partnership, brought alive the dozing England fans, who were clearly outnumbered by Indians at the Oval. Tendulkar followed suit five balls later, having been adjudged leg before to Tim Bresnan for 91. That wicket started the slide.
In less than 15 overs from that point, the entire team was bundled out. With Swann on song, Suresh Raina, Dhoni, Gautam Gambhir, RP Singh and S Sreesanth failed to provide the resistance. The England spinner ended up with six wickets in the innings.

With a 4-0 win, England have further consolidated their position at the top of the World Test ranking, the fourth Test win giving them a clear seven-point lead. The defeat has pushed India, who started the series as No 1 team, further down in the ranking. They have slipped to No 3, behind South Africa. In two years, there will be a Test championship here among the four top-ranked teams. The experience in this series could stand them in good stead in the championship but the target will be to qualify for it.