Team India shown amazing spirit by coming back from a losing position to win the fourth Test against England by five wickets on Monday, February 26 at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi.
With 152 runs required on the final day and all ten wickets intact, the hosts appeared to be on their way to a comfortable victory until Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley took four fast wickets. The Test might have gone any way at that time, but India’s batsmen kept their nerve to win not just the game but the series as well.
The majority of the home team’s players performed admirably in Ranchi, while a few fell short. On that topic, here are three players who shone and two who underperformed for Team India in the fourth Test against England.
5. Star – Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav, selected ahead of Axar Patel, has been a revelation in the previous few Tests. The left-arm wrist-spinner has bowled effectively, providing his team with spin even on flat surfaces.
Kuldeep didn’t make much of an impact during India’s first bowling innings in the Ranchi Test, as Rohit Sharma brought him in late. However, following that, he had a significant impact on the game.
Kuldeep’s gutsy batting performance provided much-needed support for Dhruv Jurel on the other end, and his cunning and control were on full show during his four-wicket haul on Day 3. He was a strong contender for Player of the Match.
4. Flop – Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz Khan had a dismal second Test performance in Ranchi. He struggled in both innings, succumbing to spin as India’s middle order failed to deliver.
In the first innings, Hartley’s left-arm spin got him out, while Bashir had one flick his inside edge in the second. Sarfaraz was dismissed at inappropriate periods in both innings, and despite his preference for batting in challenging conditions, he was unable to participate.
Sarfaraz is just before the break of this , and then, with time, he will mature.
3. Star – Dhruv Jurel
Dhruv Jurel, another player playing in his second Test, had a far different destiny than Sarfaraz. The youthful goalie was the outstanding hitter for the hosts, securing a memorable victory.
India relied heavily on Jurel to get them out of trouble in both innings, and he delivered under duress. His stunning 90 cut England’s first-innings lead, while his unbeaten 39 and partnership with Shubman Gill helped the home side cross the line on a nervous Day 4.
Jurel wasn’t ideal with the gloves on, but he performed admirably for the most part. He was justifiably named Player of the Match and appears to have a promising career ahead of him.
2. Flop – Rajat Patidar
Rajat Patidar may have played his final Test for a time after his two defeats in Ranchi. With veteran middle-order names likely to return shortly and others waiting in the wings, the 30-year-old’s career has struck a tough patch.
Patidar fell gently to spin in both innings in the fourth Test, as has been the pattern throughout the series. He instilled little confidence in the middle, with his strokeplay limited and his defense ineffective.
1. Star – Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s role may have been overshadowed by Kuldeep and Jurel, but India’s highest run-scorer in the series so far was critical to their triumph in Ranchi as well.
Jaiswal’s 73 in the first innings helped India stay afloat while wickets fell at the other end. He also made a crucial contribution in the second innings, scoring 37 runs to help the home side get off to a solid start.
Yashasvi Jaiswal will be around for a long time to come.
