India is dethroned as a world number 1 test nation by England today. India lost their top spot after conceding one of their most humiliating defeats in a test history. They lost the 3rd match and a series by an inning and 242 runs.
India could have only expected a miracle to avoid defeat, may be heavy rain for the next 3 days that would have swapped away remaining days of play. But luck is something that is not helping Indian side at all.
The game was almost over when England built up a formidable first inning total of 710 for 7, a score that seem out of reach for fragile Indian batting line, who could manage to score only 224 in the first inning. Alistair Cook (294) and Eoin Morgan (104) took the game away from India before the start of the 3rd day. Already behind by 286 runs, India could not do any good for themselves as they lost their 4 strong batsmen at the score of 56. Virender Sehwag failed for golden duck in consecutive innings.
Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar was the only hope for the Indian fans, but not for saving a match. The fans wished if only he could make his 100th international century. Out of form Tendulkar was showing some determination at the middle of the crease, but he was unfortunately run out by a great piece of fielding from Graeme Swann. He made 40.
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who scored 77 in the first inning, provided some resistance once again as he made 74 runs. But his score was never enough to save India from a crushing defeat. England's bowling has always been of top class. James Anderson (4), Stuart Broad (2) and Graeme Swann (2) made sure that England didn't have to wait too long to taste victory. They eventually got India all out before tea session.
After losing the series and the top spot simultaneously, India have nothing else to lose. They could save themselves from slipping further down in the test raking by winning the remaining one match, however, the kind of form England are having currently, it would be immensely difficult task to do that. In fact, England might be looking for a white wash.
(Photo Courtesy: EspnCricinfo)
(Photo Courtesy: EspnCricinfo)
