This felt like a by-election in Ranchi with England sitting on a 20,000 majority at the start of the day. By the time the polls closed they could taste defeat and were wondering just how they had ended up in this mess.
The WinViz swingometer lurched wildly India’s way and now they are in sight of a series win at 40 for none chasing 192 against a demoralised England who went from total control to needing a miracle.
The Bazballers’ attacking instincts were blunted by spin bowlers who caused mayhem on a turning pitch, teaching England that against top-class teams you cannot have a bad day and expect to win.
England did not go down slogging. There was not a reverse ramp in sight. They were just not good enough to pass this spin test when it really mattered.
They keeled over in only 54 overs, losing seven for 35, as Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Ashwin hypnotised every batsman in front of them. They were rendered strokeless, all out for 145 after batting at just 2.6 an over, the lowest strike rate of the Bazball era. From starting the day 134 behind and seven down, India trimmed the first innings deficit to only 46 and it dispirited England, who for a second Test match running suffered a day-three meltdown.
It is well known that England love their golf. Now they know how it feels to be top of the leaderboard only to see a rival fly up on the rails with a string of birdies in the final nine. England’s response was to dump the ball in the drink, dropping a crucial catch with the game in the balance and when they bowled did not pose anywhere near the same threat as the difference between the spin attacks came home to roost.
