Nottingham: India failed to capitalize on their third Test win, losing a pivotal fourth match in Nottingham that left them in a dire position. As they prepare for the final Test of the tour, the team is facing the reality of a disappointing trip. Excluding the T20 series, India has struggled significantly, showing a consistent lack of form in the One Day and Test matches.
Indian team performed poorly
India's campaign in England took a hit as they handed the Test series to the hosts in a disappointing fashion. Chasing 245 in the fourth Test at Southampton, the Indian side crumbled to 184. Virat Kohli’s 58 and Ajinkya Rahane’s 51 were the only standout efforts in a batting collapse where almost everyone else failed to contribute.
Defeated by 60 runs
This collapse led to a 60-run loss, allowing England to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the five-match series. The final game is scheduled for Friday. India's innings began disastrously, with KL Rahul (0) and Shikhar Dhawan (17) failing to find their rhythm, followed by a quick exit for Pujara (5), which left the team under immense pressure at 22/3.
101 partnership:
The mood shifted when Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane steadied the ship with a solid 101-run stand, bringing India back into the game. But the collapse resumed after Kohli fell at 123. Hardik Pandya (0), Rishabh Pant (18), Ishant Sharma (0), and Mohammed Shami (8) offered little resistance. Once Rahane was out at 153, the match was effectively over, though Ashwin (25) managed to reduce the margin of defeat slightly at the end.
The match began on Thursday with England batting first after winning the toss, only to be bowled out for 246. India responded with 273, gaining a slight lead. In their second innings, England scored 271, setting India a target of 245. Unfortunately, India struggled to chase the total and were dismissed for 184 in 69.4 overs.