ENG vs IND | 5th Test | Centuries from Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow secure a series-levelling victory for England

In-form England campaigners Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow hit respective centuries to chase down a target of 378 and secure a historic victory for the hosts. This was the highest-ever successful chase by the Three Lions in the longest format. 

England began Day 5 on 259/3, with Bairstow and Root looking in total control with their presence at the crease. The duo started positively and did not give any chances to the visitors. 

Although Mohammed Shami managed to harness some movement from the pitch, most of them went for byes towards the leg-side, keeping England ticking satisfactorily. 

After successfully negating the first few overs of the Indian pacers, the duo piled up boundaries in a consistent manner. During the latter part of the chase, Root brought out his reverse scoop to hit a glorious six over the wicket-keeper’s head. 

The duo completed centuries and accumulated 119 runs under 20 overs to chase down the score, with Root at 142* and Bairstow remaining unbeaten on 114. 

Earlier, India had posted a mammoth total of 416 on the board in the first innings, with the contribution of Rishabh Pant (146) and Ravindra Jadeja (104). The pick of the bowlers for the home team was James Anderson with a fifer. 

In reply, England were dismissed for 284, with Bairstow returning with a fighting knock of 106 and Mohammed Siraj picking up four wickets for the Indian team. 

The Jasprit Bumrah-led side were rather average in their batting performances in the second innings, wherein they were dismissed for 245 and had a total lead of 377 runs. The Three Lions skipper Ben Stokes picked up four wickets. 

The Player of the Match and Player of the Series accolades have been awarded to Bairstow and Root, respectively. On the other hand, Bumrah was the recipient of the India Player of the Series with 23 scalps, which is the most by any bowler during the bilateral series in England. 

The series ended 2-2, and the Indian team will hope to come up with improved performances on the subsequent tour to secure a red-ball series victory in England for the first time after 2007. 

Brief Scores: 

India (1st innings) - 416/10 (84.5)

Rishabh Pant 146 (111), Ravindra Jadeja 104 (194);

James Anderson 5/60, Matty Potts 2/105

England (1st innings) - 284/10 (61.3)

Jonny Bairstow 106 (140), Sam Billings 36 (57); 

Mohammed Siraj 4/66

India (2nd innings) - 245/10 (81.5)

Cheteshwar Pujara 66 (168), Rishabh Pant 57 (86)

Ben Stokes 4/33, Matty Potts 2/50

England (2nd innings) - 378/3 (76.4)

Joe Root 142* (173); Jonny Bairstow 114* (145), 

Jasprit Bumrah 2/74

Result: England won by seven wickets and levelled the series 2-2