England vs India 2018, 5th Test: Hosts Win the Oval Test, Bags Series 4-1

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It was a great effort from two young players from India, but in the end, it was England who went onto win the final Test by 118 runs to seal the series by a 4-1 margin.

However, KL Rahul smashed his maiden Test century on the English soil. The wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant also smashed his maiden Test century and thrashed the English bowlers all around the park.

However, the hosts fell off the radar yet again after the dismissal of Rahul. The English bowlers kept bowling the same area for an extended period and eventually it proved to be enough to hand them a comprehensive victory.

Indian began pretty well in the opening session of the final day’s play. Both KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane was hardly troubled by the English bowlers. KL Rahul continued his prowess from the 4^th day, as he managed to register his maiden Test century in the English conditions. The visitors lost two crucial wickets just as lunch was about to be taken.

India fought hard with a 204-run partnership between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant

Initially, Moeen Ali dismissed Rahane. Soon after Hanuma Vihari also fell without troubling the scorers. From there on, it was a magical partnership between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant which brought back the game big time for the visitors. It was a unique display of batsmanship by the duo, as they smashed the English bowlers all around the park.

Rahul reached his first century in England by smashing Ben Stokes for a couple of fours and a six. On the other hand, Rishabh Pant started going after the hosts’ bowlers.

Rahul took the defensive approach and allowed Pant to go after the bowlers. Pant reached a century with a six of Adil Rashid. He became the 4^th Indian batsman to bring up his maiden Test century with a six.

As KL Rahul was looking well set for a 150, he got castled by a dream delivery from Adil Rashid. The ball pitched way outside the leg stump. It turned sharply to take the off stump. After the dismissal of Rahul, his partner Rishabh Pant also fell in quick succession, as he went for a big shot.

After his dismissal, a defeat for India looked in the cards. Despite a resurgence from Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma, the visitors fell short by 118 runs.

England vs India, 5th Test; Day Five Lunch – Brief Scores:

England 1st innings 332 all-out in 112.1 overs (Jos Buttler 89, Alastair Cook 71, Ravindra Jadeja 4/79)

India 292 all-out in 95 overs (Ravindra Jadeja 86, Hanuma Vihari 56, Moeen Ali 2/50)

England 2nd innings 423/8 in 112.3 overs (Alastair Cook 147, Joe Root 125, Hanuma Vihari 2/24)

India 345 all-out in 94.3 overs (KL Rahul 149, Rishabh Pant 114, James Anderson 3/45