On this day, July 1, 2022: England beat India in fifth Test to level the series 2-2 after Bairstow smashes twin tons. This was the fifth match of the series which was rescheduled a year later due to Covid. India were leading the series 2-1 and the fifth match could not be played in 2021 so the match was rescheduled to 2022. The venue was Birmingham and Jasprit Bumrah led the side for India while Ben Stokes was the captain of England. These were completely different teams with different leaders. Just a year back when this series started it was Joe Root and Virat Kohli who led their respective sides.
India were batting on a very tricky surface and lost half their side with less than 100 runs on the board. India were in all sorts of trouble as they were reduced to 98/5 by the English bowlers. Rishabh Pant along with Ravindra Jadeja put up a massive partnership to help India recover. The duo added a double century partnership for the sixth wicket. Rishabh Pant scored 146 while Ravindra Jadeja scored 104 as they helped India post a total of 416 at the end of the first innings.
Jonny Bairstow smashes twin tons as England chase down a record total
England struggled in the second innings as they lost plenty of wickets. Jonny Bairstow was the lone player who put up a fight as he smashed a wonderful century. Despite his brilliance, he did not get much support from the rest of the team as England were bowled out for 284 in the second innings and conceded a massive lead to India.
In the third innings, India lost the initiative as they were bowled out for 245 with Ben Stokes picking up four wickets. England were set a target of 371 and it seemed that India had the edge going into the final innings of the Test mach. However, England batters put up 107 runs for the opening wicket and set the platform. Jonny Bairstow smashed an unbeaten 114 while Joe Root also completed his century as England chased down the target with seven wickets spare. The series was tied at 2-2 and it was a brilliant series between these two sides.
