IND VS ENG TESTS

Well, with that we come to the end of our coverage of this second Test match between India and England where India finished the match on Day 4, winning it and levelling the series 1-1 as we move on to the third Test that starts on 15th of February at 9.30 am IST (4 am GMT). The series hangs in balance after two amazing Test matches. How will the series turn out? Is Virat Kohli joining the team back? Will we see the return of KL Rahul or Ravindra Jadeja? All these answers lie in front as India versus England Test series moves to its next chapter. Till then, it's a goodbye.

Jasprit Bumrah is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliance with the ball. He starts by saying that he does not look at numbers. Further adds that as a youngster, he used to get excited looking at numbers but now it is an added baggage. Shares that as a youngster, yorker was the first delivery he learned. Mentions that he had seen the legends of the game in Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and Zaheer Khan do it and he is happy to do it now. States that the team is through a transition so he feels that it is his responsibility to help the younger guys in any way he can. Says that he tries not to be a one-trick pony and assesses the situation and his options.

Rohit Sharma, the skipper of India talks about Jasprit Bumrah and calls him a champion player and what he has down for the team every time is not easy and he certainly looks better every passing day. When asked about Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit says that he is very humble and focused on his work and knows that every opportunity thrown at him is an important one and that's the way he bats. Rohit talks about the middle order to step up a bit more and convert the starts into big runs but at the end of the day, if the game is won, it's all good. The series till now has been really challenging and England has played really good cricket in the series. Ends by saying that they have a week to regroup and come back for the next Test match.

The skipper of England, Ben Stokes says that they had full belief coming into this last innings to chase it down. Feels that they get the best out of themselves in games with scoreboard pressure. Feels that it was another great game to be a part of. States that everyone in the dressing room is a quality player. Adds that they are good enough to go out there and decide their approach to getting the runs. Says that he absolutely loved captaining the inexperienced spinners. Reckons that the spinners showed a lot of maturity beyond the years. On James Anderson's efforts with the ball, he replies that he was amazing in this Test as was Jasprit Bumrah.

... THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...

India's double centurion of this Test, Yashasvi Jaiswal is in for a chat. He says that it is a wonderful feeling. Adds that it is one of the best moments to win a game for your country. Mentions that they were just focusing on their processes and felt that it went well. Shares that there were a few cracks and there was some seam movement as well. States that it was a bit hard to play in the fourth innings. On the difference in his approach while playing red-ball and white-ball cricket, he replies that it in Test cricket, he tries to play till the end while in white-ball games, he goes for it from the first ball and has an intent to score. Feels that the way Bumrah bowled was incredible. Ends by saying that his intent in the second innings was the same and he wanted to play out the new ball and build the innings.

Earlier in the game, after opting to bat first, India's openers started cautiously. Rohit Sharma fell early, but Jaiswal found his rhythm, supported briefly by Shubman Gill, who departed just before Lunch. Jaiswal reached his second Test century post-Lunch, while Iyer and Patidar failed to capitalize on their starts. Axar Patel, promoted up the order, showed promise but fell for 27. KS Bharat looked promising until his dismissal. Jaiswal remained composed, ending Day 1 unbeaten on 179 alongside Ashwin. Despite losing the toss, James Anderson and the spin quartet maintained discipline, preventing India from dominating on Day 1. Anderson set the tone early with precise bowling, claiming Gill's wicket before Lunch. Rehan Ahmed and debutant Shoaib Bashir applied pressure, with Hartley taking the only wicket in the second session. Rehan Ahmed dismissed Patidar post-tea, while Bashir removed Axar Patel, and Rehan got Bharat late in the day as India finished Day 1 at 336 for the loss of six wickets.

Day 2 commenced with India facing the daunting task of navigating through the tricky phase with the second new ball, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravichandran Ashwin standing firm at the crease. England quickly seized the initiative in the first session, swiftly wrapping up India's tail, but they could not stop Jaiswal from reaching his maiden double hundred in Test cricket. In pursuit of India's first-inning total of 396 runs, England's opening duo of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett showcased remarkable prowess, with Crawley particularly shining with an explosive knock of 76 runs off just 78 balls. Despite glimpses of promise from some English batters, they struggled to capitalise, falling victim to the relentless bowling of Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah's fiery spell saw him claim six crucial wickets, including his 150th Test scalp for India, effectively dismantling the core of England's batting lineup. Additionally, Kuldeep Yadav made significant contributions with three vital wickets, forming a formidable bowling partnership with Bumrah that left the English batters struggling. Ultimately, India's bowling dominance resulted in England being bowled out within just two sessions to take a lead of 143 runs.

On Day 3, India began with a significant 171-run lead, laying the groundwork for what promised to be a crucial day of play. Despite the early dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, the partnership between Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer steadied India's innings. Gill's resilient century, complemented by Axar Patel's aggressive batting, propelled India's lead to a commanding 398 runs.  England's spinners struggled to capitalize on the early wickets from James Anderson, with Tom Hartley and Rehan Ahmed eventually making crucial breakthroughs. Ben Stokes' strategic captaincy led to further wickets, restricting India to 255 in their second innings. In pursuit of a challenging target of 399 runs, England's openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett displayed resilience, keeping England's hopes alive despite Duckett's eventual departure. Crawley, along with Rehan Ahmed, ensured England ended the day with just one wicket down, setting the stage for what promised to be an intriguing final day of the Test match.

As the sun rose on Day 4 of the Test match between India and England, anticipation filled the air as both teams geared up for a pivotal day of cricket with India needing remaining while England were in pursuit of 332 runs. Sessions may not define a Test match, but the intensity of the first session hinted at the direction in which the match was headed, with India making significant strides by claiming five English wickets. England's innings began steadily, with Zak Crawley and Rehan Ahmed providing a solid start at the crease. However, their promising partnership was disrupted when Axar Patel struck early to dismiss Rehan Ahmed, giving India the breakthrough they needed. Crawley, resilient as ever, continued to anchor the innings with a superb knock, showcasing his batting prowess once again scoring 73 runs before he was sent by Kuldeep Yadav, credits to a brilliant review taken by India. Just when England seemed to be stabilizing, India struck crucial blows in the final moments before lunch. Ravichandran Ashwin, on the brink of a historic milestone with one wicket away from 500 Test wickets, dismantled the English middle order by removing Ollie Pope and Joe Root, exerting his dominance with the ball. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah's relentless pace and accuracy proved too much for Jonny Bairstow, who fell victim to an intriguing review decision. The lunch break saw England reeling at 194/6 after 42.4 overs, with their hopes pinned on the experienced Ben Stokes to guide them through troubled waters. However, India's impeccable fielding came to the fore as Shreyas Iyer executed a brilliant run-out to dismiss Stokes early in the post-lunch session, dealing a significant blow to England's aspirations of mounting a comeback. It was the partnership of Ben Foalks and Tom Hartley to be the highest in the innings. The duo added 55 runs before Ben Foalks fell to the brilliance of Jaspreet Bumrah. It did not take India time to pick up the remaining tail to secure a victory by 106 runs.

That's it, that's the end and India won the Second Test by 106 runs on Day 4 of the Test Match. After getting a massive first-innings lead, India never looked back and kept on piling up the score. England needed 399 runs in their second innings and have been bowled out for 292 by the mighty Indian bowling attack to level the series 1-1 after the Second Test. The daily summary of the Test match is coming up, stay tuned.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! THAT'S IT! All over for England! Jasprit Bumrah goes through the defence of Tom Hartley and finishes it off in his very own way! Stays around the wicket does Bumrah and bowls it on a hard length, slanting in, on the off-stump line, Tom Hartley stays put and looks to keep this one out with a straight bat. He shapes up to play for the ball angling in but this one nips away late and beats him all end up. It goes past the outside and clatters into the off-stump. Bumrah roars in delight to cap off what has been a Test to remember for him. All smiles in the Indian camp and the crowd will go home with smiles on their faces. India win by 106 runs and level the series at one game apiece!

Leg bye! Steams in from around the wicket and looks for the toe-crushing yorker, slips it down leg, on a full length, James Anderson fails to clip it away. The ball rolls off his pads to fine leg for a leg bye.

FOUR! Nicely cut away! Shortens his length and bowls it closer to the off-stump line, Tom Hartley rocks back and cuts it late to get it right between backward point and short third man for a boundary.

That could have gone anywhere! Ashwin tosses it up and bowls it full, on off, James Anderson goes for the reverse sweep again but swings a bit early. Gets it off the gloves and it lobs well over Rohit Sharma at first slip for a run.

This is quicker through the air, fuller and on middle and leg, James Anderson gets his bat out in front of the pads and defends it on the leg side.

Goes wide of the crease and slows it up as well, drags the length back a bit and bowls it on middle, James Anderson prods forward and keeps it out.

Fires it in from around the wicket, James Anderson pulls out the reverse sweep and hits it hard but straight to backward point.