India routs England after Root, Hameed defiance

From 78-4 overnight, England at least mustered 236 to set the home side a target of 103.

England’s Joe Root is at the second position, having 14 points more than Kohli.

Parthiv Patel, who was playing his first Test in eight years, top-scored for the hosts with a rapid unbeaten 67. England could theoretically retain the Pataudi Trophy by winning the final two matches of this series, but if they are to even get a draw in Mumbai or Chennai, they need to have a performance that bears no resemblance to what they showed in this Test where they were out-bowled, out-batted and out-thought.

Statistical highlights on day four of the third cricket Test between India and England.

Jadeja trapped night-watchman Gareth Batty (0) plumb in front in his very first over of the day before dismissing make-shift opener Joe Root (78) just before the lunch break. “The most important part is to get runs in the game and if you are getting them, you release a lot of pressure off yourself and from the partner who is batting with you at the other end”.

In all, Hameed scored 59 not out and hit six fours as well as a six in his 156-ball stay spanning just short of three hours.

Top-ranked in Twenty20 Internationals and second in One-Day Internationals, Kohli will look to improve his ranking further in the remaining two Test matches against England. “The pitch was ideal for batting”. But if you get bowled out for 280 you won’t win games. “283 was about 150 to 175 below par”. Mohammad Shami came back with the second new ball and bent his back really well to fire in some short balls to wrap up England’s tail.

Aggressive hitting from wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel ensured India chased down the paltry 103 runs they needed to win the match and take a 2-0 lead in the series.

They will have to attempt that without Hameed, though, who despite his defiant innings on this fourth day will miss the rest of the series with the injury sustained by the blow to his left hand he received on the first morning of this match. The 19-year-old was due to have an x-ray after the third Test finished, but instead it was done on Day Three with the results sent back to the United Kingdom for assessment.

Kohli specially singled out pacer Mohammed Shami for praise for coming back after a knee injury in such strong manner after 15 months.

Parthiv Patel struck his fifth test half-century and spearheaded the short run-chase after tea. “We were not good enough to do it first time”, said the captain. We had a little bit of a sniff at 200-6, but credit to their lower order.

“It’s been a frustrating four days. I felt that we did that pretty well to get the result our way”, said the India skipper. We’ll see what happens in the next few days.

“It’s been a complete effort”. That’s the belief we have created in the changing room.

“We were always playing catch up”.