In an impressive display of resilience and strategy, Dhruv Jurel and Shubman Gill played a pivotal role in guiding India to a commendable five-wicket victory over England in the fourth Test match on February 26. This significant win not only propelled India to clinch the five-match series with one game still in the offing but also marked their 17th consecutive series triumph on home ground, sending a powerful message to England about the depth and versatility of India's cricketing strategy.
After the win, India consolidated their position on the World Test Championships (WTC) points table. While India remained stationed at the second position, Rohit Sharma's brigade extended their lead on third-placed Australia. In the 2023-25 WTC cycle, India have so far won five of their eight matches, losing just two matches in the process.
World Test Championships (WTC) 2023-25: Points Table:
| Team | Matches | Win | Loss | Draw | Points | Percent |
| New Zealand | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 75.00 |
| India | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 62 | 64.58 |
| Australia | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 66 | 55.00 |
| Bangladesh | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 50.00 |
| Pakistan | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 22 | 36.66 |
| West Indies | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 33.33 |
| South Africa | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 25.00 |
| England | 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 21 | 19.44 |
| Sri Lanka | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Another thrilling day of Test cricket in Ranchi
The day commenced with India at a comfortable position of 40/0, chasing a manageable target of 192. The duo of captain Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal set the tone early on, forging an 84-run partnership that laid the groundwork for India's chase on the fourth day. Rohit's confident 55 runs off 81 balls, paired with Jaiswal's quick 37 runs off 44 balls, initially put India in a commanding position.
England storm back into the contest but India prevail
However, the match witnessed a dramatic twist as India lost both openers, followed by the quick dismissals of Rajat Patidar, Ravindra Jadeja and Sarfaraz Khan adding a layer of suspense to the proceedings. It was then that Shubman Gill, with an unbeaten 52, and Dhruv Jurel, contributing a steadfast 39 not out, came together in a match-defining 72-run partnership that ultimately led India to victory.
England's bowling attack, led by left-arm spinner Tom Hartley who clinched the crucial wicket of Rohit Sharma, and Shoaib Bashir, who emerged as the standout bowler with figures of 3/79 in the second innings and a match total of eight wickets, posed significant challenges but couldn't deter India's march towards victory.
India secure 17th straight home Test series win
With this triumph, India now leads the series 3-1, setting the stage for the final match in Dharamsala starting on March 7. This victory is a testament to India's dominance in home series, maintaining an unbeaten streak that dates back to their last home series defeat against England in the 2012-13 season under Alastair Cook. Since then, India has showcased formidable performance, winning 39 out of 50 Tests played on home soil, further cementing their status as a powerhouse in the world of cricket.
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