England's Modern Approach made India Gaping
The concept of a fourth-innings chase in Test cricket has been radically transformed in the modern era, and England’s latest victory over India is a powerful testament to this shift. Chasing a formidable target of 370, a feat accomplished only a handful of times in the sport's 148-year history, this English side made it look almost routine. Their performance secured another epic victory for their "Bazball" philosophy and left India to reflect on how a match they largely dominated slipped through their fingers.
A generation ago, teams would have approached such a target with caution, focusing on survival. But this England team operates on a different plane. This was not unfamiliar territory; they had chased down 378 against a similar Indian attack at Edgbaston three years prior. Their confidence, rooted in this aggressive mindset, was evident from the start. The foundation of their victory was a brisk 188-run partnership between openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley. They navigated challenging early spells from India’s premier pacers, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, before capitalizing on any loose deliveries from the rest of the attack.
India’s bowlers and fielders struggled to contain the pressure. Ravindra Jadeja, bowling into the rough on a turning pitch, was repeatedly neutralized by Duckett's masterful use of the reverse-sweep, which disrupted his line and length. The fielding did not help either; crucial chances were missed, with both Crawley and Duckett earning reprieves that proved costly. From the opening hour of the chase, India seldom looked like the favorites, despite the massive total they had to defend. Every English batter played with clear intent, ensuring the scoreboard kept moving and the required run rate never became intimidating.
Ultimately, the match was not won solely by England’s aggressive batting but lost by India’s recurring fragility. The contrast between the two sides was stark. England’s batting depth allowed their players to attack with freedom, knowing capable batters were still to come. Even when captain Ben Stokes was dismissed playing a rash shot, the unflustered Joe Root and Jamie Smith knocked off the remaining runs with ease.
This stands in sharp contrast to India's performance. Two dramatic collapses—losing seven wickets for 41 runs in the first innings and six for 31 in the second—prevented them from building an unassailable lead. They surrendered a game they should have won. Even when India held a commanding advantage on the fourth afternoon, England never stopped believing. When India stumbled, England pounced, providing a harsh lesson in the importance of converting dominance into victory.
