Image Credit- AFP
Ultimately, it felt a little underwhelming. With
relative ease, Shubman Gill, 24, and Dhruv Jurel, 23, knocked off the final 72
runs, providing us with a sneak peek at what Indian cricket may look like in
ten years. Teams come here, work hard, perspire, and occasionally succeed.
Finally, India prevails in the end.
To be honest, a lot like the past ten years. For this reason, England’s first
series loss in eight under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum’s leadership may not
seem too bad on the surface.
Prior to the tour, Stokes considered winning a single
Test to be success. In Hyderabad, England succeeded there on their first
effort. What transpired thereafter, with India rallying to win the remaining
three, supports the argument he was putting out. Still, he cut a desolate
figure at the close of a fourth Test that undulated in Ranchi.
“3-1 doesn’t look great,” conceded the England captain, still wearing
the toil of the day’s 53 overs on his whites and face. For a good chunk of the
middle of that, his side felt on the cusp of something extraordinary.
“We didn’t have a chance in hell of even competing with India,”
Stokes said on the overall match-up. “But even today, that wasn’t an easy
win for India, and I think they would admit that.”
The evaluation of his team’s prospects conflicted with
some of Stokes’ core beliefs for England. Unwavering conviction, relentless
competition, an emphasis on realising your own potential, and a refusal to
consider the opposition.
Perhaps that’s because this is the first time he’s had to accept this kind of
defeat. Despite his selfless leadership abilities, Stokes has always been the
biggest loser in the England team. As a skipper, it won’t have altered, and it
likely makes the losses hurt a little more. Before this trip, there had only
been four in eighteen matches. After being positive for each of his 21 months
in office, this was a reasonable first mistake.
Stokes maintained his trust in the principles and was
confident that a result would follow as the fourth day in Ranchi went on. He
was always adjusting fields, supervising his bowlers, cheering after every
delivery, and shouting directions and support all through. He was at his best
when England bagged 5 for 36, leaving India rattled in their chase of 192.
Regarding the others, Dharamsala provides some opportunity for comfort.
However, the missed opportunity for what could have been a thrilling final in
the Himalayan foothills should sting as they parted ways ahead of that fifth
Test.
Because of Gill and Jurel’s elegance and poise,
England did not lose this series on Monday, just as India did not win 17
straight home series. But crucial opportunities have not been taken, much like
with the Ashes last year.
On the second day, they had India 177 for 7, having fought valiantly for a
superb first innings of 353. They gave India a second chance with a dull first
session on Sunday. Robinson’s mishandled catch at midwicket, which allowed
Jurel to convert 59 runs into 90, made things worse. Then, even in
circumstances that Stokes claimed made it “nigh on impossible” for
England’s batsmen to assert themselves in their customary way during the second
innings, they were 110 for 3 before losing 7 for 35.
The true murderer, though, was Rajkot. After winning
the toss, India was 33 for 3 on the opening morning of the third Test, but they
managed to rally for 445. Before Joe Root played that shot, England were 224
for 2, handing up a 126-run deficit. This collapse was caused by 8 for 95. All
of this occurred while R Ashwin was ruled out of the game due to an urgent
family emergency, leaving the hosts down a bowler. On the last day, as England
collapsed, he came back to pick at the remains of the fourth innings.
They have things going for them, and they don’t appear
to have any regrets. But as they all know, this would have been more enjoyable
had we won. And the feeling that England was simply not merciless enough to
take the initiative when games were on the line is what unites this match
against Australia last year and this one right now. Not that Stokes thinks so.
They also have a dejected-looking form sheet now. After drawing with Australia
and New Zealand in 2023, England has lost its previous three multi-match
series, with the exception of a triumph over Ireland in a one-off Test at the
beginning of the summer. Out of their last ten games, they have only won four
and lost five.
The haters said Bazball could not work in India. And the haters were correct.
Honestly, great call from the haters.