TNI Bureau: “Boys! Go down on your Knees and surrender before us”, said the English players and our so-called Team India led by MS Dhoni and guided by Sachin Tendulkar did exactly the same. The humiliation was complete at the historic Eden Gardens, which saw India losing a test match after 13 years. Also, India lost two tests in a row against England at home first time in the last 36 years.
England thrashed India by 7 wickets to take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series with one match to go in Nagpur. They now eye a series win in India, which eluded them for over 30 years. India lost 6 wickets in the post-lunch session for just 36 runs and lost the match, pride and dignity forever.
After bowling England out for 523, Indian openers started on an aggressive note by reaching 86/0 in 21 overs at Lunch. Sehwag was out off the first ball after the lunch and that triggered a collapse of Indian batting order. From 86/0, they slumped to 122/6.
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India managed to avoid an innings defeat, thanks to R Ashwin and Ishant Sharma, who added 38 runs for the 9th wicket. Ashwin also added 50 runs with Pragyan Ojha for the 10th wicket to deny England an innings victory. Ashwin remained unbeaten on 91, as India bowled out for 247. For England, Anderson and Finn took three wickets each. Swann took two wickets.
Chasing a victory target of 41, England lost three wickets for just 8 runs on board. Wickets of Cook (1), Trott (3) and Pietersen (0) created a panic among the English fans. However, Compton and Bell prevented further damage and saw their team through. Bell remain ed unbeaten on 28. England won the match by 7 wickets. For India, Ashwin took two wickets, while Ojha took one. Alastair Cook was declared ‘Man of the Match’.
Scores: India 316 & 247; England 523 & 41/3.