Clinical India trump England, book a spot in the ICC World Test Championship Final

India beat England by an innings and 25 runs in the 4th Test to win the series 3-1 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The hosts began Day 3 on their overnight score of 294/7. Having played the second fiddle to Rishab Pant who took the England bowlers to the cleaners the previous day, Washington Sundar stepped on the gas pedal on Day 3.  Axar Patel and Sundar did not employ a sedate approach. The overnight pair punched above their weights and scored runs at a brisk rate. They put an inspiring 100-run partnership for the eight-wicket, further extending the team's first-innings lead. The 106-run partnership culminated when Axar was run out by Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root. However, there were two wickets in hand. Sundar, who had batted beautifully throughout, was four runs adrift of his maiden century. The equation was pretty simple. All Ishant Sharma had to do was lend the strike back to the youngster. Ben Stokes trapped Ishant plumb in front. Sundar was watching all the events unfold from the other end. Three balls later, he uprooted Mohammed Siraj's off stump, leaving Washington Sundar stranded on 96. The wait for his maiden century prolonged. However, his 174-ball 96*, is as good as a century. His vital contribution with the bat had swelled India's lead to 160 runs. 

England were rocked early with the dismissal of Zak Crawley. Expecting the ball to turn, Crawley played down the wrong and Ajinkya Rahane pouched it safely in the slip cordon. More trouble was in store for England as Jonny Bairstow was sent back by Ravichandran Ashwin without troubling the scorers. Thereafter, Dom Sibley perished in the most bizarre way. The opener lunged forward and swept the ball. Interestingly, the ball ricocheted off Shubman Gill's shin pads and landed straight into the gloves of Pant. Sibley's dismissal brought Ben Stokes to the crease. Axar Patel struck again as he induced a false shot from Ben Stokes. 

England were left in the woods at 30 for four, still 130 runs in arrears. Ollie Pope joined hands with Joe Root and restored some sort of hope with a brief partnership.  However, England lost their way yet again. A tiny amount of hope that was redeemed courtesy of the partnership between the pair, had diminished just in the space of two deliveries. A sudden lapse of concentration resulted in Pope's dismissal. The 23-year-old was completely deceived by the loopy delivery and Pant inflicted an extraordinary stumping before Pope could get back to the crease. One brought two. England skipper Joe Root soon followed. An error of judgement saw him trapped in front by Ashwin. The lower order managed to stretch the game with Dan Lawrence putting up a resilient batting show. However, it was too much to ask for the lower order. The visitors were bundled out for 135, handing India yet another series victory at home. Ashwin and Axar Patel took five wickets apiece. The latter became the first Indian bowler to claim four or more wickets in five consecutive innings. 

The result now means that India will face New Zealand in the World Test Championship Final at the Lord's Cricket Stadium in June.