James Anderson achieved a significant milestone by becoming just the third bowler in cricket history to claim 700 test wickets, but his triumph was overshadowed by England’s defeat against India in the fifth and final test, losing by an innings and 64 runs within three days.
India posted a formidable total of 477 runs in their first innings, while England struggled, managing only 218 and 195 in response.
Anderson, already renowned as one of the greatest fast bowlers in test cricket, reached the 700-wicket mark when he dismissed India’s Kuldeep Yadav on Saturday morning in Dharamshala. This remarkable achievement came in his 187th test match, making him the first pace bowler to achieve this milestone.
He now joins the elite company of Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets in 133 tests) and Australia’s Shane Warne (708 wickets in 145 tests), both spin bowlers, who have crossed the 700-wicket mark.
Despite Anderson’s feat, India maintained a dominant position throughout the match, securing a commanding 3-1 series victory. In the second innings, England found themselves in dire straits at 103-5 by lunch, trailing by 156 runs.
In England’s second innings, Ravichandran Ashwin played a pivotal role, claiming five wickets and finishing with match figures of 9-128 in his 100th test. His outstanding performance initiated England’s collapse in the second innings.
Although England’s Joe Root fought valiantly with a score of 84 runs, including 12 boundaries, his efforts were in vain as India’s Kuldeep Yadav sealed the victory with time to spare on the third day.
With this comprehensive win, India solidified their position at the top of the ICC World Test Championship rankings, boasting a remarkable 68.51 percentage points from six wins in nine tests. Meanwhile, England languishes in eighth place, with only three wins in 10 tests in the current 2023-25 cycle.
