India took the final eight wickets for just 71 runs to inflict their second highest ever victory margin over England, by 246 runs, on the fifth day of the second test in Visakhapatnam.
Only Jonny Bairstow, who was undefeated on 34, managed to offer any meaningful resistance in the face of a dominant performance from India’s bowlers, with Ravi Ashwin and Jayant Yadav each taking three wickets.
The tourists entered the final day on 87-2 with a draw still possible, despite the loss of captain Alastair Cook with the final delivery on the previous evening.
The rot started when Ben Duckett gloved a long-hop from Ashwin to the keeper.
Moeen Ali (2) was next to fall when he bat-padded a delivery to the waiting hands of Virat Kohli in the gully; England 103-4.
Ben Stokes (6) was undone by a ripper from Jayant Yadav that beat his defence all ends up and hit the top of off-stump.
Root (25) was the sixth and most important victim from India’s point of view. Their reaction said it all as a fierce in-swinger from Mohammed Shami trapped the Yorkshireman in front.
An unsuccessful review confirmed the LBW dismissal and the loss of England’s sixth wicket with 115 on the board.
Shami added to his wickets tally moments later. His short-pitched delivery was a tempter for Adil Rashid (4) and the Yorkshire all-rounder’s big swing could only find a faint top edge through to Whiddhiman Saha.
A late flurry of boundary hitting from Jonny Bairstow added some respectability to the morning session for the tourists, who closed for lunch on 142-7.
Seven down became eight down in the first over of the afternoon session as Zafar Ansari was bowled by Ashwin for an 11-ball duck.
Jayant added to what was already a very productive debut when he collected the ninth wicket.
Stuart Broad (5) missed his attempted sweep shot and was given out LBW by umpire, Dharmasana, with the decision upheld on review.
His two wickets became three on the very next ball when again, following a review, James Anderson was also trapped in-front.
England’s second innings total of 158 meant the hosts had wrapped up victory by 246 runs.
“The toss was important to win,” reflected England captain Alastair Cook following the defeat.
“First day was easiest to bat. It got harder as it went on.
“We conceded those five wickets on day two, and the lack of first innings runs eventually cost us.
“It’s hard when you lose but we did play some good cricket at stages and put them under pressure. We’ll hold our heads up high and go again.
The two sides will commence the third Test match in Mohali on Saturday.
Report by Steven Dale.
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