Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow stunning onslaught denied India the historic win at Edgbaston as England romped Jasprit Bumrah-led side by seven wickets in the rescheduled fifth and the final Test to level the long due five-match series 2-2 on Tuesday.
Bairstow (114 off 145) unleashed the beast in him as he clobbered centuries in both the innings which was brilliantly coupled with another ton from teammate Joe Root (141 off 172) as they made the light work of India's 378 target with seven wickets to spare on Day 5 of the final match. With this England recorded their highest run-chase ever in Test matches. This was the fourth time England chased down a target of over 250 in the fourth innings, the earlier three being against New Zealand, 277, 299, 296, in their 3-0 home Test series win last month.
Meanwhile, India's stand-in skipper Bumrah, who was adjudged the 'Man of the Series', rued rain factor for the series stalemate.
“I won't go that far ahead (of calling himself an all-rounder). That's the beauty of Test cricket, even if you have three good days. We fell short with the bat yesterday and that is where we let the opposition in to let the match slip away from us. Ifs and buts can always be there. If you go back, if there was no rain in the first match, we could have won the series,” Bumrah said.
India's star bowler also lauded England as he said," But England played really well. We have drawn the series and both teams played very good cricket and it was a fair result. Pant takes his chances. He and Jaddu got us back into the game with their counter-attack. We were ahead in the game. He takes his chances, backs himself and very happy for him. Dravid is always there to guide us and back us. We could have been a little straighter in our bowling lines and use the variable bounce. The captaincy is not what I decide. I like the responsibility. It was a good challenge, a new challenge. It was an honour to lead the team and a great experience".
The Indian bowlers toiled the whole of the morning session without success, Bumrah (2/74) was the only Indian bowler to take wicket in the England second innings. He ended the match with five wickets. Mohammed Siraj had taken four wickets in the England first innings.
