Opting to bat first, India got off to a dismal start and never quite recovered. The top order collapsed under relentless pressure from the English seamers. The visitors were bundled out for a mere 78 runs in their first innings, a total that starkly highlighted their batting struggles on a pitch offering assistance to the bowlers
Rohit Sharma was the lone batter to offer some resistance, scoring a gritty 19 runs off 105 deliveries. However, none of the others managed to settle in. The pace duo of Craig Overton and James Anderson played a crucial role in dismantling the Indian line-up, picking up two wickets apiece and constantly troubling the batters with probing spells
England responded emphatically with the bat. Openers Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed laid a solid foundation with innings of 61 and 68, respectively. The highlight of England’s reply, however, was their skipper Joe Root, who continued his sublime run of form with a masterful 121 off 165 deliveries
Root’s century not only anchored the innings but also pushed the hosts into a position of complete dominance. England eventually amassed a mammoth 432, gaining a massive 354-run lead
Faced with the daunting task of batting out the remainder of the match, India needed a significant effort in their second innings to stay in contention. While there were a few improved performances, the overall effort remained inadequate. The Indian batters showed some intent, with contributions coming from multiple players, but they collectively fell short once again. India were bowled out for 278, handing England a resounding win with more than a day to spare
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