Heads dropped. Grim faces ruled the Indian dressing room. Despite the noise by a sizeable England contingent, an uneasy silence from the Indian fans ruled the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad.
The writing was on the wall when Ravichandran Ashwin missed an almighty heave after charging down the track to Tom Hartley or maybe even before that.
India Breaks 91-Year-Old Record
This was the first time in the 91-year history of Test cricket in India that they lost a match after taking a first-innings lead of more than 100 runs. This was only the second time a team won after conceding such a big lead. The last time it happened was when the Team beat Australia after conceding a follow-on (a lead of 274 runs) in that famous Eden Gardens Test in 2001.
India Bowled Out For 202
India were bowled out for 202 in the final over of an extended third session of play on the fourth day in Hyderabad, as Hartley got Mohammed Siraj stumped with his left-arm spin to trigger celebrations from the England camp.
Not the First Time England Took a Lead
This is not the first time England took a 1-0 lead. They did that even on their last tour in 2021. But this win, described as one of the best in his captaincy tenure by Ben Stokes, would rank higher. The reason is simple. Team dominated proceedings for the first two days. When they get into a position like that, they don’t lose. Never, ever.
This was the first time in the 91-year history of Test cricket that they lost a match after taking a first-innings lead of more than 100 runs.