England thrash India at Headingley to level the series

England beat India by an innings and 76 runs to level the series and respond in the best possible fashion to their previous defeat.

Having gone into day three with a lead of 345 runs, Craig Overton (32) and Ollie Robinson (0) were quickly dismissed in a bid to extend their side’s advantage.

That meant India went into their second innings needing an unlikely 352 to force the hosts to bat again. However, in all fairness, they put their earlier woes behind them with Rohit Sharma timing the ball well.

Second Test man of the match, KL Rahul (8), would survive a near LBW scare after initially being given out by Richard Kettleborough.

Though, his luck would soon run out after Jonny Bairstow produced a magnificent, diving one-handed catch off the bowling of Overton to make a breakthrough.

Cheteshwar Pujara then arrived at the crease without a half-century in his last 12 innings, but slightly wayward bowling from the England attack and a number of strong shots off his legs saw the 33-year-old build a strong base to his innings.

Rohit, on the other hand, has enjoyed a solid start to the tour, especially when his historic struggles away from home are taken into account. The Indian opener played several strong offensive shots whilst remaining firm in defence to bring up a second 50 in as many matches.

However, after missing a straight delivery from Robinson, he was out LBW for 59 with the ball going on to clip the top of off-stump.  That elusive century on foreign shores still evades him.

Virat Kohli partnered Pujara as the new batsman, having also struggled for form in recent times. It seems extraordinary that he has gone almost two years without a Test century.

Pujara moved to 50 with an uncharacteristic aggressive pull off the back foot as he looked to delay the inevitable.

Just like his opposite number Joe Root, Kohli saw the ball well and batted soundly until the close of play, finishing the day on 44*.

You could argue the day went as badly as it possibly could for England with their opponents posting a score of 215-2. Yet only one result still seemed possible ahead of day four, with England’s lead of 139 a strong one.

Going into the morning’s play on 91*, Pujara would have undoubtedly set his sights set on a 19th Test century. But instead, he would depart via a review after padding away a Robinson inswinger that was going on to hit off-stump only eight balls in without scoring.

Kohli then moved past 50 and will hope to continue his form into the fourth test at The Oval. Although, the skipper became another victim to the ever-impressive Robinson after edging to first slip for 55.

Ajinkya Rahane (10) and Rishabh Pant (2) swiftly fell to Anderson and Robinson respectively as England closed in on victory.

Moeen Ali then got in on the act by producing a ripper to bowl Shami for six.

Robinson claimed the wicket of  Ishant Sharma (2) to seal his second Test five-for as he continues to earn admirers just 4 games into his international career.

Overton ended Ravi Jadeja’s quickfire 30, before seeing off Mohammed Siraj for a second-ball duck to complete a memorable and significant win.

Criticism of Joe Root and his players was certainly justified after the disaster of Lord’s, yet praise must be awarded due to the way they have responded.

Ruthless with the ball and prolific with the bat, there is a stark contrast in emotions in regards to English Test cricket compared to this time last week. You must hold your hands up and say well done all for making that possible.

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