At the end of the first day India were already chasing a match they had to win. The pitch was better than the one at Mumbai and hence India should have put up a better total. That is exactly what the Indians failed to do.

Alastair Cook praises team after third Test win

An inspired England team who were led my example by their Captain Alastair Cook defeated India by seven wickets in the end. The consecutive defeat now leaves India in search of many answers.

The first day was a slow start to the innings but the brightest spot was Sachin’s innings. India were bowled out for a mere 316 on the pitch with England’s pace bowlers troubling the Indian batsmen for the first time in the series. Monty Panesar picked up from where he left in Mumbai with an equally impressive performance on a pitch that did not offer the same amount of support.

Cook was all praise for his bowlers after the match and rightfully so, because had the Indian batsmen given the team 100-150 runs more then the outcome of the match might have been different because India had removed three English wickets when they were chasing 41 runs. James Anderson was impressive through out the match and Finn who was a replacement for Broad impressed too.

Cook scored his third consecutive century of the series and his fifth overall. He is now also the youngest batsman to score 7000 test runs. He was modest about his achievements and said they were now concentrating on the final test in Nagpur.

India’s batting let the down once again in the series, ironically although a bowler by choice – R Ashwin was India’s top scorer considering both the innings. Ashwin’s lone battle at the crease had only delayed the inevitable for India and the off spinner scored 91 and was left with no one to partner him at the other end.

The win was a collective effort unlike the one at Mumbai were Cook, Panesar and Pietesen were the chief architects. Indian spinners showed that ahd India scored another 100 runs then maybe the outcome could have been altered. Ashwin and Ojha removed three English batsmen in their pursuit of just 41 runs with the victims being Cook, Pietersen and Trott.

Compton was his usual self with a slow careful innings and just managed 9 runs in 40 balls. Bell came out and scored a run a ball 28 to wrap up the match and the win. The win means that England cannot lose the series now. A win or draw at Nagpur will ensure that they win the test series.

Dhoni will be hoping to turn the table around at Nagpur and will be hoping for runs from his batsman one of them being Virat Kohli, who has failed to impress so far in the series.

“As a leader this is a challenge thrown at me, It is always good to lead a side when you are performing well. That is not the time you need a leader. Leading a side is all about when the team is not doing well. To try to gel the team together. To back the youngsters, back the seniors. Try to move in the right direction. “

“The easiest thing to do for me right now is to quit the captaincy and stay part of the side. That’s running away from responsibility that’s upon us. Of course there are others who will decide. There is BCCI and other administrative people who look into that. For me, my responsibility is to get the team together and be prepared for the next Test match.” Dhoni said after the match.

Tags: Alastair Cook, BCCI, Cricket, Eden Gardens, England, India