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Cricket News: Ranked: Top 5 players from 4th ENG vs IND Test | Ranking the top 5 players from India’s win at The Oval
On Day 4 of The Oval Test, the pitch was as flat as a pancake. Easy runs were on offer and India made the most of it.
The foundations for posting a big total in the 2nd Innings for the visitors were already laid on Day 3 itself, mainly by virtue of Rohit Sharma’s brilliant hundred – his first in overseas ton in Tests for India.
However, the final blow was by the Indian lower order when they put up 154 runs for the last 4 wickets with the main contribution from Shardul Thakur (or Lord Thakur as he is known on social media). Thakur scored a valuable 60 and partnered with Rishabh Pant (50) to put on a 100-run partnership for the 7th wicket which enabled them to post a target of 368 setting up an enthralling final day’s play for the fans.
All was not lost for England as the English openers made the most of the Day 4 evening session and put on a partnership of 77 before the close of play.
As Day 5 started, all 4 results (India win, England Win, Draw, Tie) were possible, and fans and experts all over the world did not know what to expect. But, one thing was sure, the way India made a comeback after losing the toss, getting bowled out for 191 in the first innings and conceding a 99-run lead, the final day had the potential to silence a lot of critics from an Indian perspective.
With that thrilling spell from Bumrah, which read like a tennis score (6-3-6-2) and all the bowlers chipping in when it mattered most, India managed to post a historic win at The Oval after 50 years.
Ranked: Top 5 players from 4th ENG vs IND Test
5. Umesh Yadav
There was some speculation that Umesh Yadav might play the 4th Test before it began. Given the swinging conditions, Umesh was the most likely candidate to replace one of the fast bowlers.
Grabbing three wickets each in both innings, Umesh made a significant contribution to the win. Although he lacked consistency in his line and length, fans were not surprised as that is not completely out of character for him. But he made inroads at the right time, grabbing the prized wicket of Joe Root in the first innings and also dismissing Dawid Malan.
4. Jasprit Bumrah
If you look at the wickets column, it was nothing special for Bumrah. However, it was a magnificent exhibition of pace bowling. His spell just after lunch saw him dismiss Ollie Pope with a full, fast and straight delivery and also get rid of Jonny Bairstow with an absolute jaffa. This period was the turning point in the game, as Bumrah gave the England batsmen no room to breathe.
He ended that spell with the figures of 6-3-6-2 and his overall figures for the innings read 22-9-27-2 which was instrumental in sealing the victory for India.
3. Chris Woakes
Many would believe that perhaps Ollie Pope was the best performer for England. But, Chris Woakes, playing a Test match after 12 months and immediately making an impact, is the reason he was the best English player in the Test. He dismissed Rohit Sharma and ended up taking four wickets before making an all-important half century at No.9.
2. Rohit Sharma
Winning the MOM award for his 127 in the 2nd innings, Rohit helped India gain a lead of 367. He brought up his first overseas ton in Tests with a six over long-on off Mo Ali. He was absolutely sublime on Day 3 of the Test and posted a 153-run partnership with Pujara for 2nd wicket.
1. Shardul Thakur
Lot of people tipped Thakur to win the MOM award due to his twin fifties and striking with the ball at key moments.
That is exactly the reason he is my number one player for India for the Test. Reeling at 127-7, Shardul made sure India got as close to 200 as possible in the first innings. When Thakur came into bat in the second innings, India only had a lead of 211 on the board and by the time he got out, that lead had crept up to 311. He contributed with a crucial innings of 60 and also struck with the ball dismissing Burns and Root.
Apart from these five key performers, there have to be a couple of special mentions, especially the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, who many were saying would not as effective as R Ashwin. But Jadeja did spin the ball on the last day, picking up two crucial wickets of Hameed who batted really well for his 63 and Moeen Ali who was dismissed for a duck. He also made sure that he saw out the second new ball, batting out 20 overs with Virat Kohli before being dismissed.
India now has a taken a lead of 2-1 in the series. With the assurance of not losing the series, India will look to seal the series with another victory in Manchester. Of course, there is still a question of whether Ashwin will play or not, but whatever the team selection we can be sure that the final Test of the English summer is going to be an absolute cracker.
Written by Nash Sant. Follow Nash on Twitter today.
