21 December,2016 12:18 PM IST | | Shishir Hattangadi
From 103 for no loss to be demolished for 207 on a pitch that was not unplayable speaks volumes of the depth of the Indian bowling. It also tells you a story of England's inability to cope with the pressure of batting in the second innings
Ravindra Jadeja finished with figures of 7-48 yesterday
Ravindra Jadeja finished with figures of 7-48 yesterday
The Chepauk was a new theatre where the script playing out was almost similar to what has been a disappointing performance for England. One would have thought, with their batting strength, the visitors would be conscious of their failings in the second innings.
Ravindra Jadeja with 7-48 demolished the under pressure batting to help India to an impressive 4-0 series victory.
From 103 for no loss to be demolished for 207 on a pitch that was not unplayable speaks volumes of the depth of the Indian bowling. It also tells you a story of England's inability to cope with the pressure of batting in the second innings.
England run out of steam
The Chepauk Test has also embodied the way the visitors played in all four Tests they lost. They seem to run out of steam batting twice. If you know your only apparent strength is abandoning you, then you cannot expect to do well enough to compete. Winning four tosses and losing four Test tells you how England as a batting unit let themselves down. They needed a more resolute display to make up for an attack that was genial in strength.
Karun Nair, whose unbeaten 303 has put him in the same bracket as Sir Garry Sobers and Bob Simpson for converting a maiden century into a triple ton, has created a reputation that will be hard to ignore and a challenge to live up to. His mammoth score is a reflection of his hunger for runs. It comes as a breath of fresh air for Indian cricket fan who can now look beyond the colossal reputation built by Virat Kohli.
India ready to win abroad
This series has also showed that the Indian bowling looks good to compete well away from home in conditions that will be predictably testing. For me, the defining difference has also been the batting contributions from R Ashwin, Jadeja and Parthiv Patel. This has been a huge bonus not only in the series annihilation but also in sending a message to opposition around the world that India bat deep.
The Anil Kumble-Virat Kohli combination has taken Indian cricket fans to a level of euphoria with this performance. It will be unfair to forget the contribution of former Team Director Ravi Shastri who took charge when the health of Indian cricket wasn't pink. At the moment, India are looking good to go, especially abroad.
The writer is a former Mumbai Ranji Trophy captain
