India on Monday defeated England by 5 wickets within the Ranchi Test to take an unassailable lead of 3-1 within the five-match sequence. Despite trailing 0-1, the host staff placed on an excellent comeback to seal the sequence with a match to go. Meanwhile, it was the primary sequence defeat for captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum since they took cost in 2022 and adjusted England’s fortunes with their attacking philosophy dubbed ‘Bazball’. Getting essential of the staff’s strategy, England’s legendary batter Geoffrey Boycott stated that the batting price the Three Lions the sequence.

“Bazball has given Test cricket a shot in the arm and England deserve praise for that. At times, I love it. But I love winning more and England have failed to beat the best two teams in the world: Australia and now India. What should really hurt them is that they should have beaten both,” wrote Boycott in The Telegraph.

“The batting cost them winning the Ashes and it lost them the series against India. In this series they have had odd moments when someone has scored a good hundred. But they have been in isolation and there has been no consistency.

“To play with no concern is sweet, however at instances England have been reckless and too cocky about how they have been going to smack everyone round. Getting out is a part of the sport however getting your self out is foolish.”

Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel guided India to a series-clinching five-wicket win over England on day four of the fourth Test on Monday.

Chasing 192 for victory, India slipped to 120-5 but Gill (52) and Jurel (39) put on an unbeaten stand of 72 to achieve the target during the second session in Ranchi.

(With AFP Inputs)