On This Day — England Crush India by an Innings and 242 Runs at Edgbaston in 2011 to Reclaim the Number 1 Spot in Rankings

Every session widened the gap between the two sides. On August 13, 2011, the misery peaked as England handed India a crushing defeat by an innings and 242 runs at Edgbaston, sealing the series and reclaiming the number one spot in the Test rankings. It was a match and a series that Indian supporters would rather forget.

India vs England: 3rd Test from 10th-13th August 2011

The third Test match between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham began on August 10 2011. England won the toss and chose to bowl first. This decision put India under immediate pressure on a pitch that offered help to the seamers. India’s batting lineup, already reeling from injuries and poor form in the series, struggled to build a solid foundation.

India’s First Innings

Opening the batting, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir were tasked with setting a strong platform. Sehwag, returning from injury, lasted only one ball. He was caught behind by Matt Prior off Stuart Broad for a duck, edging a delivery that swung away. This early wicket set a negative tone with the score at 8 for 1 after 1.1 overs. Gambhir, playing more steadily, partnered with Rahul Dravid to add 51 runs for the second wicket. Gambhir scored 38 off 64 balls, including seven fours, showing some aggression with drives through the off side. He fell to Tim Bresnan in the 19.5 over, bowled by a delivery that nipped back in.

Dravid, known for his resilience, anchored the innings briefly with 22 off 68 balls, hitting three boundaries. He looked composed but was undone by Bresnan again in the 26.2 overs bowled through the gate. Sachin Tendulkar, the crowd’s favourite chasing his 100th international century, came in at a precarious 59 for 2. Expectations were high, but he managed only 1 run off 8 balls before being caught at third man off Broad in the 22.1 over, attempting an uppercut. This dismissal left India at 60 for 3, and the middle order needed to step up.

VVS Laxman joined Dravid earlier and survived until after his partner’s departure. Laxman scored 30 off 41 balls with six fours, displaying elegant strokes especially through the covers. He was caught at mid-on off Bresnan in the 34.4 over while trying to flick one uppishly. Suresh Raina, under pressure for his place, added just 4 off 21 balls before being bowled by James Anderson in the 33.1 over, failing to cover the swing. At lunch on day one, India were struggling at around 100 for 6 with the top order collapsed.

Captain MS Dhoni, also the wicketkeeper, provided much-needed resistance lower down. He scored a fighting 77 off 96 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes, at a strike rate of 80.20. Dhoni’s innings was aggressive, especially against the spinners, and he smashed boundaries square of the wicket. He shared a crucial 84-run stand for the eighth wicket with Praveen Kumar, who contributed 26 off 39 balls with four fours and a six.

Kumar played bold shots, including a pull over midwicket, before being caught behind off Bresnan in the 53.3 over. Amit Mishra, the leg spinner, added 4 off 13 balls but was caught behind off Broad in the 39.3 over. Ishant Sharma managed 4 off 19 balls with one four before falling to Anderson in the 62.2 over, caught at slip. Sreesanth was not out on 0. Extras contributed 18 runs, mostly leg byes and byes.

On the bowling front, England’s attack was disciplined. Tim Bresnan was the star with 4 for 62 in 20 overs, using seam movement effectively. Stuart Broad supported with 4 for 53 in 17 overs, generating bounce and swing. James Anderson took 2 for 69 in 21.2 overs, while Graeme Swann went wicketless in his 4 overs for 22 runs. The bowlers maintained tight lines, exploiting the conditions to dismiss India before tea on day one. This modest total put England in a commanding position as India’s batsmen failed to convert starts into big scores. The collapse exposed their vulnerabilities against pace.

England’s First Innings

With India bundled out for 224, England began their reply on day one, reaching 84 for 0 by stumps. Their innings extended over 188.1 overs, and they declared at 710 for 7, which was the highest total in the series. This mammoth score came at 3.77 runs per over, taking 773 minutes and showcasing patience and dominance. Alastair Cook’s epic 294 was the centrepiece, helping England amass a lead of 486 runs.

Openers Andrew Strauss and Cook started solidly. Strauss, the captain, scored 87 off 176 balls with 13 fours, playing fluent drives. Cook more measured and build steadily. Their 186-run opening stand lasted 55.6 overs until Strauss was bowled by Amit Mishra, missing a sweep. By the close of day one, Cook was 27 not out. Day two saw England pile on runs. Ian Bell joined Cook, adding 66 for the second wicket. Bell scored 34 off 43 with six fours before being bowled by Praveen Kumar in the 70.2 over.

Kevin Pietersen then unleashed, scoring 63 off 78 balls with nine fours and a six, dominating the spinners. He and Cook added 122 runs before Pietersen was lbw to Kumar in the 92.6 over, padding up to one that swung in. Eoin Morgan came in and formed a game-changing 222-run partnership with Cook for the fourth wicket. Morgan’s 104 off 199 balls included 11 fours, mixing defence with counterattacks. Cook reached his century and kept accumulating, crossing 150 and then 200. Their stand took England past 500. Morgan fell in the 160.5 over caught off Suresh Raina’s part-time spin.

Ravi Bopara, on comeback, scored 7 off 15 before being lbw to Mishra in the 163.4 over. Matt Prior added 5 off 11 caught off Mishra in the 165.6 over. Tim Bresnan was unbeaten on 53 off 75 with six fours and a six, adding 97 with Cook for the seventh wicket. Cook’s 294 off 545 balls with 33 fours at a strike rate of 53.94 was a masterclass in concentration featuring elegant cover drives and leg side flicks. He fell in the 188.1 over caught off Ishant Sharma. Extras totalled 63, including 34 leg byes and 15 no balls. Broad, Swann and Anderson did not bat as Strauss declared.

India’s bowling looked toothless. Praveen Kumar took 2 for 98 in 40 overs, swinging the new ball. Amit Mishra claimed 3 for 150 in 43 overs, but it was expensive. Ishant Sharma got 1 for 159 in 37.1 overs while Sreesanth went wicketless for 158 in 36 overs. Raina picked 1 for 83 in 28 overs, and Tendulkar bowled 4 overs for 17 without success. The bowlers toiled on a flattening pitch with Mishra’s leg spin providing some turn, but fielding lapses and fatigue allowed England to dominate. By day two’s end, England were 456 for 3, and Cook’s knock broke records, putting India on the brink.

India’s Second Innings

Trailing by 486, India started their second innings late on day three, reaching 35 for 1 by stumps. They were bowled out for 244 in 55.3 overs on day four at 4.39 runs per over across 259 minutes. England won by an innings and 242 runs, taking a 3-0 series lead. Sehwag again fell cheaply, caught at slip off Anderson for 0 in the 0.2 overs. Gambhir scored 14 off 42 with two fours before being caught at gully off Anderson in the 13.1 over. Dravid made 18 off 39 with three fours but edged Anderson behind in the 15.2 over.

Tendulkar, still seeking his milestone, scored 40 off 60 with eight fours, playing crisply. He was run out in the 32.2 over after a mix-up with Raina courtesy of Swann’s throw. Laxman managed 2 off 21, caught behind by Anderson in the 21.3 over. Raina scored 10 off 24 with two fours before lbw to Swann in the 28.6 over. Dhoni is unbeaten on 74 off 79 with 13 fours at a strike rate of 93.67, counterattacking fiercely. Mishra added 22 off 28 with four fours caught off Swann in the 40.5 over. Praveen Kumar blasted 40 off 18 with five fours and three sixes in a 75-run stand with Dhoni before being caught off Broad in the 48.2 over. Sharma was lbw to Broad for 0 in the 50.4 over.

Sreesanth scored 5 off 13 before catching Bresnan in the 55.3 over. Extras added 19. Anderson starred with 4 for 85 in 18 overs. Broad took 2 for 28 in 12. Swann 2 for 88 in 13. Bresnan 1 for 19 in 10.3. Pietersen bowled 2 overs for 12 without wickets. Despite the loss, Dhoni’s knock showed grit, but early wickets sealed India’s fate. The innings had moments of flair from Kumar, but overall, it underscored their batting frailties against England’s varied attack.