England surprised many by winning the four-Test series against India 2-1, after starting on a losing note in Ahmedabad. By doing so, they emulated the David Gower-led England team of 1984-85 almost note for note. Even 28 years ago, the English had lost the first game of the series only to bounce back and win 2-1. This particular series win is, of course, England’s first on Indian soil since that amazing comeback 28 years ago.
Here are these and some other stats highlights from today’s play and the series:
England ended India’s eight-year unbeaten home series run. The last time India lost a series at home was against Australia in 2004-05.
England registered their first series win against India in India in 28 years. They had last beaten India in India in 1984-85 under David Gower.
Interestingly in 1984-85 also England had made a comeback after losing the first Test. Also, the winning margin was the identical (2-1).
The two instances in 1984-85 and 2012-13 are the only ones of a visiting side winning a series in India after losing the opening Test.
The defeat was India’s first in a home series under MS Dhoni.
The drawn Test put an end to the streak of result-oriented Tests between India and England. The seven consecutive Tests between these two sides before this Test had produced result, with India winning one and England six.
Jonathan Trott (143) scored his first hundred against India in his sixth Test against them; this was his eighth overall in 38 Tests.
Ian Bell (116*) scored his third hundred against India in 15 Tests; his 17th overall in 83 Tests. Interestingly, Bell had aggregated only 56 runs in his previous 5 innings in the series.
Ian Bell, while on 70, completed 1000 runs against India. He became the 10th Englishman to do so.
The fourth-wicket partnership of 208 runs between Trott and Bell is England’s second highest for this wicket in India. The best still remains 214 runs between Andrew Strauss and Paul Collingwood at Chennai in 2008-09.
The above partnership was the highest for either side for any wicket in the series, obliterating the 206-run partnership between Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen for the third wicket at Mumbai.
At 27 years 358 days Alastair Cook is the second youngest visiting captain to win a series in India after David Gower, who was 27 years 310 days old while winning the series 2-1 in 1984-85.
