Sport

SUNDAY 7 MARCH 2021 IndiaI tame England to extend home TTest record and reach WTC final You’re obviously happy when you’re winning so many series butb there are always things to improve, like after the first gameg in Chennai we had to pick up our body language.

India captain Virat Kohli Sport | 07

CRICKET: 4TH TEST IN AHMEDABAD England: 205 and 135 (D. Lawrence 50; Patel 5/48, Ashwin 5/47); India: 365 (R. Pant 101) Kvitova clinches Qatar Total Open title

FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA SINGLES

Petra Kvitova was in brilliant CHAMPIONS form throughout the week at the Qatar Total Open but the IN DOHA World No.10 saved her best for 2021: PETRA KVITOVA the title clash. A tough final was predicted 2020: Aryna Sabalenka, Belarus between the fourth seeded 2019: Elise Mertens, Belgium Czech and World No.16 Garbiñe 2018: Petra Kvitova, Czech Republic Muguruza, but Kvitova with her powerful winners made it a 2017: Karolina Pliskova, Czech one-sided affair at the Khalifa Republic International Tennis and 2016: Navarro Suárez, Spain Squash Complex, yesterday. When the two clashed in 2015: Lucie Safarova, Czech Doha final three years ago, Republic Kvitova rallied from a set down 2014: Simona Halep, Romania to clinch her maiden Falcon Trophy in two hours and 16, but 2013: Victoria Azarenka, Belarus yesterday, she hardly broke a 2012: Victoria Azarenka, Belarus sweat posting 6-2, 6-1 victory 2011: Vera Zvonareva, Russia in 66 minutes for her second title in the tournament. 2008: Maria Sharapova, Russia The Amir H H Sheikh 2007: Justine Henin, Belgium Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and 2006: Nadia Petrova, Russia Qatar Olympic Committee Pres- 2005: Maria Sharapova, Russia ident H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani also attended 2004: Anastasia Myskina, Russia the match along with a limited 2003: Anastasia Myskina, Russia number of socially-distanced H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, with the Qatar Total Open champion Petra Kvitova 2002: Monica Seles, US spectators. (right) of Czech Republic and runner-up Garbine Muguruza of Spain at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex yesterday. With her 28th career title, 2001: Martina Hingis, Switzerland Kvitova became only the fourth player in history to win the KVITOVA'S PATH TO QATAR Qatar Total Qatar Total Open twice. Anas- TOTAL OPEN GLORY Kvitova fired 11 winners to 18 Open champion tasia Myskina (2003, 2004), Petra Kvitova Maria Sharapova (2005, 2008) FINAL: unforced errors to seal her and Victoria Azarenka (2012 Beat Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP) victory, ending the title and 2013) previously won the 6-2, 6-1 drought that lasted for event on two occasions. Kvitova, who will turn 31 almost two years after her tomorrow, also have most SEMI FINAL: Stuttgart crown in 2019. number of wins in Doha after Beat Jessica Pegula (USA) her 20th victory last night, sur- 6-4, 6-4 passing Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova and Caroline Woz- QUARTER-FINAL: Slam champion, World No. 1, niacki of Denmark, who won 19 former. And definitely she matches here. Beat Anett Kontaveit (EST) deserve the respect. Even she “It feels great, for sure. And 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 couldn’t win it, she is a big it’s beautiful trophy, as well,” player and big champion.” Kvitova told reporters after SECOND ROUND: Yesterday’s result also claiming a commanding Beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova extended Kvitova’s dominance victory. 6-1, 6-2 over Muguruza to 5-1, including “I missed the title last year, the last five meetings. but still, I think it was a good For Muguruza, who is season for me overall. I’m glad injured Azarenka in the having a consistent run this that I am able to make it this semi-final. season, it was a disap- defeat means she will have to after the tough matches that I Kvitova, collected a prize of year. Every title is great. Of Kvitova won the first set in pointing end to the wait more for her first trophy had,” the two-time major $68,570 for winning the course playing final, it’s great 32 minutes after Muguruza tournament after her since Monterrey 2019. winner added. $565,530 tournament, while and for me it’s always the failed to continue the impressive per- “It was a different con- Along with the golden Muguruza got richer by $51,000 bonus. But losing in the final is momentum at 2-2 with mis- formance in pre- dition out there Falcon Trophy, for being the runner-up. disappointing and sad,” the takes costing the former World vious days in today. I couldn’t Czech, who lost to Aryna No.1 dearly. Doha. The really find my Sabalenka in the final last year, While Muguruza was laid game. I think Federer, Thiem arrive ahead of said. down by her 27 unforced errors Petra also In windy conditions under in the title deciding match, played very Qatar ExxonMobil Open lights, the two-time Wimbledon Kvitova held nerves in tense well from the champion excelled giving little stages of the match saving six baseline and it chance to Muguruza, who out of seven break points. was hard to try defeated defending champion The tall Czech continued to to make her Sabalenka in the quarter-final, keep control of the match with move or try to before getting walkover against her powerful shots and spec- do much. It tacular winners, raising level of was very her game after every point. windy, as well. In all, Kvitova fired 11 It really wasn’t It was a different condition winners to 18 unforced errors my day. I out there today. I couldn’t to seal her victory, ending the failed to do title drought that lasted for less mistakes, really find my game. I think almost two years after her probably,” Petra also played very well Stuttgart crown in 2019. Muguruza said from the baseline and it was “I think it was a little bit less yesterday. hard to try to make her windy, not much but a little bit However, she less. I know that Garbine didn’t said walkover in Swiss tennis star Roger Federer and World Number 4 move or try to do much. It play the semi-final, so for her it the semi-final was very windy, as well. It was something which I faced didn’t break her Dominic Thiem gesture as they arrive at the Hamad really wasn’t my day. I failed already, and it wasn’t really momentum. International Airport in Doha yesterday. The Swiss, playing to do less mistakes, easy,” said Kvitova before “No, I don’t think in Doha for the 8th time, and top seed Thiem will join a probably: Runner-up praising Muguruza whom she it affected me. I star cast at the ATP Qatar ExxonMobil Open which kicks embraced after winning the actually took the off tomorrow. Garbiñe Muguruza final. opportunity to “She is a two-time Grand recover a little bit SUNDAY 7 MARCH 2021 SPORT 07

Grand Prix winner Niels Bruynseels guiding Delux van T & L over an obstacle during the Doha Grand Prix of the Longines Global Champions Tour at the Longines Arena At Al Shaqab, yesterday.

Bruynseels wins Doha Grand Prix with Delux van T & L

RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA

Experts say Delux van T & L is one of the finest horses on the circuit. If anyone had a doubt about the top billing of the 12-year-old gelding, it was put to rest by Niels Bruynseels at Longines Arena at Al Shaqab. Competing against a top field, Bruynseels executed his plan to per- fection to win the Doha Grand Prix on the final day of the opening round of the Longines Global Cham- pions Tour (LGCT), guiding Delux van T & L to a flawless routine under lights. Delux van T & L clocked a time of 39.93 seconds in the jump off as the Belgian celebrated his superb win in the 1.60m class. Bruynseels Grand Prix winner Niels Bruynseels celebrates won €123,750. Jan Tops, Founder and President of Longines Global Champions Tour, and Hamad bin Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah, astride Delux van T & L. “Yes, I have no words for it President of the Qatar and Asian Equestrian Federations, posing for a photograph with the podium winners of actually. I have to thank my horse. the Global Champions League Of Doha at The Longines Arena At Al Shaqab, yesterday. He is really one of the best horses in the world,” Bruynseels said competing against the clock. Fre- 05: GLOBAL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - INDIVIDUAL CLASSIFICATION Peder Fredricson of yesterday. drickson’s compatriot Henrik von Int. jumping competition - against the clock (1.55 m) Table A, FEI Art. 238.2.1 - CSI5* the Valkenswaard “He makes it happen for me. I Eckermann managed a flawless Rank, Horse, Rider, Country, Penalties, Time, Prize Money United arriving was lucky in the jump off. He routine with King Edward to nail the 1. Hello Jefferson / Scott Brash (GBR), (0 penalties) 70.23 secs, €23,750 at the podium jumped amazing last week also. He third place on the podium. King 2. Hansson WL / Peder Fredricson (SWE), (0 penalties) 70.47 secs, €19,000 ceremony. felt so good. So I was thinking why Edward clocked 70.66 seconds as he should ride on the first day here Von Eckermann won €14,250. 3 King Edward / Henrik von Eckermann (SWE), (0 penalties) 70.66 secs, €14,250 and then why should he jump again Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt 4. Asathir / Philipp Weishaupt (GER), (0 penalties) 71.71 secs, €9,500 and again,” the tall Belgian added. (Asathir, 71.71 seconds, €9,500) and 5. Dominator 2000 Z / Christian Ahlmann (GER), (0 penalties) 72.20 secs, €6,650 Bruynseels now gets a golden compatriot Christian Ahlmann ticket to the LGCT play-offs in (Dominator 2000 Z, 72.20 seconds, 06: LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR GRAND PRIX OF DOHA Prague in November. €6,650) completed the top 5 in a Int. jumping competition with jump-off (1.60 m) Table A, FEI Art. 238.2.2 - CSI5* “This (getting the ticket) is really field of 12 riders competing against Rank/Horse/Rider/Country Round Jump Off Prize important. To get the Prague ticket the clock. Faults/Time Faults/Time Money is really what I wanted. This cham- Maintaining their fine form from 1. Delux van T & L, Niels Bruynseels (BEL) (0) 77.04 sec (0) 39.93 secs €123,750 pionship is of the highest level in Thursday, Valkenswaard United 2. Nuance Bleue VDM Z, Lorenzo De Luca (ITA) (0) 75.98 sec (0) 40.20 secs €75,000 the world. It’s good to win the first yesterday clinched the first edition 3. Dieu Merci van T & L, Eric Lamaze (CAN) (0) 77.89 sec (0) 40.35 secs €56,250 leg,” he added. of the Global Champions League Italy’s Lorenzo De Luca, astride (GCL). Frericson (Hansson WL, 4. Kriskras DV, Bart Bles (NED) (0) 75.97 sec (0) 42.16 secs €37,500 Nuance Bleue VDM Z, secured the 70.47 seconds) and Marcus Ehning 5. Mumbai, Christian Kukuk (GER) (0) 76.58 sec (4) 40.64 secs €22,500 second spot worth €75,000. (Stargold, 73.15 seconds) managed Keeping tight lines, Nuance Bleue an overall time of 143.62 seconds. LONGINES QATAR EQUESTRIAN TOUR HATHAB: VDM Z clocked 40.20 seconds. Valkenswaard United have 25 Comp. (3) Open Class, Table A, One round against the clock, 115/125cm, Prize Money Canada’s Eric Lamaze, in the points after round 1. QR25,000 saddle with Dieu Merci van T & L, Shanghai Swans (145.22 Rank, Horse, Rider, Penalties, Time, Prize Money finished in third place after clocking seconds) grabbed the second spot 1. Cobold, Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi, (0 penalties) 57.13 secs, QR6,250 a time of 40.35 seconds. Lamazae with Ahlmann (Dominator 2000 Z, 2. What A Pleasure, Nasser Al Ghazali, (0 penalties) 57.72 secs, QR5,000 won €56,250. 72.20 seconds) and Max Kuhner GLOBAL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE OF DOHA - SECOND GCL COMPETITION 3. Faily, Ali Mohammed Al Qadi, (0 penalties) 58.65 secs, QR3,750 Bart Bles of the Netherlands (Elektric Blue P, 73.02 seconds). Table A, FEL Art. 238.2.1 - Against the clock: Height: 1.50/1.55M Comp. (4) Big Tour, Table A, Special two phases, 130/145cm, Prize Money QR45,000 (Kriskras DV, 42.16 seconds, Shanghai Swans have 25 points. Rank/Horse/Rider 1st Phase 2nd Phase Total Prize €37,500) and German rider Berlin Eagles (150.06 seconds) 1 VALKENSWAARD UNITED RD1 (Pen) Time RD2 (Pen) Time Faults/Time Faults/Time Faults Money Christian Kukuk (Mumbai, 40.64 secured the third place on the 1. Quel Homme, Nasser Al Ghazali (0) 33.74 (0) 35.68 0 QR11,250 Hansson Wl, Peder Fredricson (0) 67.06 (0) 70.47 seconds, €22,500) completed the podium with Christian Kukuk Stargold, Marcus Ehning (0) 65.35 (0) 73.15 2. Happy Feet, Faris Saad Al Qahtani (0) 32.20 (0) 36.65 0 QR9,000 top five. (Mumbai, 78.35 seconds, 5 penalties) 3. Carmen, Kamil Sabitov (0) 35.46 (0) 37.54 0 QR6,750 Team Total (0) 143.62 secs (0) 132.41 (0) 143.62 Earlier yesterday, Great Britain’s and Philipp Weishaupt (Asatahir, 2 SHANGHAI SWANS Scott Brash posted his second win 71.71 seconds). Berlin Eagles have Dominator 2000 Z, Christian Ahlmann - (0) 72.20 in as many days when guided Hello 21 points after the first round. Elektric Blue P, Max Kühner (0) 71.320 (0) 73.02 Jefferson to victory in the 1.55m time of 35.68 seconds as Al Ghazali domestic scene. Carmen clocked Solid Gold Z, Christian Ahlmann (0) 68.10 - class. Hello Jefferson, age 12, Nasser Al Ghazali won the top prize of QR11,250. 37.54 seconds in the second phase Team Total (0) 145.22 secs (0) 139.42 (0) 145,22 clocked a time of 70.23 seconds as wins Big Tour Faris Saad Al Qahtani, astride as Sabitov won QR6,750. 3 BERLIN EAGLES Brash won the top prize of €23,750. Qatari rider Nasser Al Ghazali Happy Feet, finished in second spot. Faleh Suwead, astride Mumbai, Christian Kukuk - (5) 78.35 Sweden’s and world number yesterday guided Quel Homme to Happy Feet finished in a time of 36.65 Demilione (37.66 seconds, QR4,500) Asathir, Philipp Weishaupt - (0) 71.71 4, Peder Fredrickson, astride a flawless routine to win the Big seconds as Al Qahtani won QR9,000. and Mohammed Saeed Haidan, in Checker, Christian Kukuk (0) 69.59 - Hansson WL, grabbed the second Tour title in front of cheering fans Kamil Sabitov, a regular visitor the saddle with Carport (38.31 Coby, Philipp Weishaupt (0) 63.74 spot worth €19,000. Hansson WL at Longines Arena at Al Shaqab. to Doha, guided Carmen to third seconds, QR3,150) completed the Team Total (5) 150.06 secs (0) 133.33 (5) 150.06 clocked 70.47 seconds while Quel Homme, age 17, clocked a place in the big event of the top five.

Jassim Rashid Al Buenain (right), Secretary-General Middle East Hub: WTT Contender of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and Khalil Al Mohannadi, President of the Qatar Table Tennis Association and ITTF Deputy President, pose with men’s singles winner of the World Table Tennis contender tournament Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov (second right) and runner-up Yun- Jun Lin of Chinese Taipei at the Losail Women's singles champion Mima Ito (right) of Japan, and runner-up, compatriot Hina Hayata. RIGHT: Germany’s Dimitrij Sports Arena Ovtcharov in action during the WTT Contender, part of the new WTT event structure which features two tiers within the yesterday. Middle East Hub. The WTT Contender event is followed by the WTT Star Contender event which will be held next week. Sport SUNDAY 7 MARCH 2021 06 QSL: Al Sadd look to take unassailable lead in Week 18 tie against Umm Salal We want to seal title without a defeat: Xavi

CHINTHANA WASALA this is our goal. We depend on In my opinion, we are the best THE PENINSULA ourselves to achieve this and we Al Sadd already have 47 team in the country at the are happy to be in this position. moment. Our goal is to win titles Al Duhail win 2-0 Xavi Henandez-coached Al We are playing at our home points, 13 more than and enjoy playing football. Sadd, the most successful club stadium and are favourites to second-placed side and “When we started the in the history of QNB Stars win, but everyone knows that reigning champions Al season, everyone told us that League (QSL), will be targeting Umm Salal are one of the best our main goal was to win title. nothing less than a victory defensive teams in the league,” Duhail. Al Sadd need to We got close to our goal and against Umm Salal today. Xavi said during a pre-match win just one match to won many titles, but we have And for Al Sadd, there's this press conference yesterday. take an unassailable to continue and continue the matter of winning their 15th “We want to win the league lead and be crowned as journey like this. We have to be Falcon Shield. without defeat and if we win the in the best readiness. We need The Wolves are 13 points three points in this match, we the new QNB Stars to focus and we need the same clear of their closest rivals Al will be the champions, and it is League champions as ambition and to continue in the Duhail, the current holders of impossible for you to have a only 12 points from four same manner and certainly we the pgprestigious title, , and a win strongerg moti- have a larger group of players todaytoday means tthehe fformerormer Asian vationvation thanthan ggamesames wwillill bbee up fforor to win the league title and, God champions will ggainain an this,”this,” Xavi ggrabsrabs aafterfter this roundround.. willing, the Amir Cup title also,” unassailable lead to enjoyenjoy said.said. the Al Sadd coach revealed his the title glory in front of AlAl Sadd team’s ambition on a triple theirtheir hhomeome fans.fans. areare tthehe ononlyly crown this season. TheThe matcmatchh kkicksicks ooffff unbeatenunbeaten 15 victories to theirtheir crecredit.dit. AAll Al Sadd have already atat 7:15pm.7:15pm. sideside in thethe Sadd also accounts for a mag-mag- booked a place in the next AFC “It“It is an important LeagueLeague so nificent figurefigure of 54 when it Champions League, and the clashclash forfor us. WeWe areare far,far, andand comescomes to goal difference, (66 Spaniard, who has represented expectedexpected to oofficiallyfficially wwinin theythe y goals for and 12 against) 35 the team at the competition thethe league title. In this droppedd ropped more than the second placedplaced Al both as a player and a coach, match,match, we can be pointspoints on Duhail.Duhail. said the team is preparing for thethe chamcham-- onlyonly two “The“The pplayerslayers are hhavingaving ffunun the continental stage. pionspions occasions andand thethe team is havinghaving ggoodood “Al Sadd have shown an andand whenwhen they moments. We won tthehe 2021 excellent level and with their drewd r e w Qatar Cup andand we are in tthehe mentality, the players suc- Al Duhail captain Almoez Ali controls the ball during QSL Week againstagainst semi-finalssemi-finals ooff tthehe Amir CuCup.p. ceeded in dealing with the 18 match against Al Kharaitiyat at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, Al KhorKhor TheseThese are goodgood moments andand various tournaments. As I spoke yesterday. The Red Knights won 2-0 after second half goals from inin WWeekeek we should take advantage ooff previously, our goal is to win all Mohammad Muntari and Michael Olunga. Second-placed Al Duhail 4,4, and them,”them,” the Barca great addedadded.. the championships, we exited moved to 37 points after grabbing full points. QatarQatar SC AlAl SaSadddd hadhad bbeateneaten Umm the Champions League last inin weekweek SalalSalal 3-1 in thethe firstfirst legleg ofof thethe season, but we did not stop. We 111.1. AlAl season.season. continued to work and compete scored eight goals and conceded “Nobody needs to know Sadd,Sadd, who “We respectrespect Umm Salal a lot for all the tournaments this 18. The Orange Fortress and Al the strength of Al Sadd. Eve- beatbeat AAll as theythey hhaveave a goodgood coachcoach andand season and we will prepare well Wakrah both have the same ryone knows their team and AArabirabi 3-2 goodgood fforeignoreign players,players, especiallyespecially for the next Champions number of points, but the we know that they are strong. in WeekWeek 17 in the heart of the defensedefense,, and League,” Xavi said few days ago. former are placed ahead on We respect our identity and beforebef o r e thenthen in the front they have Umm Salal, who lost to Al better goal difference. respect our plans. We need to clinchingc linching HammoudHammoud anandd KayKaykeke anandd ttheyhey Ahli in the previous round, are Umm Salal coach Aziz Ben respect work and preparation theirtheir eighth are two bbigig pplayers.layers. currently sitting at the ninth Askar is well aware that the for this match. This means that Qatar CupCup title a ““ItIt wiwillll bbee reareallylly ddifficultifficult to spot in the QSL standings with hosts are the clear favourites in we must be patient but fight Xavi Henandez weekweek ago, have score goals against this team. 15 points in their account, today’s match, but the Moroccan against them,” Askar said 4747 points in front WeWe are a team that playsplays to win having registered three wins, six tactician said his team’s plan is during a pre-match press con- ofote ttheirheir nname aam ewte wiwithth andaan d we aarere e a bbigig g cclublub ub in QataQQatar.atar . draws and eight defeats. They to stay focused and patient. ference yesterday. Sri Lanka beat West India tame England to extend Indies by 43 runs to level T20 series home record, reach WTC final REUTERS — AHMEDABAD

AP — COOLIDGE, ANTIGUA SCOREBOARD Virat Kohli’s India burnished SRI LANKA their formidable home record Sri Lanka’s spinners bowled the D. Gunathilaka c Sinclair b Bravo ...... 56 with a 3-1 series victory over tourists to a 43-run win over P. Nissanka run out (Bravo) ...... 37 England on Saturday, the the West Indies in the second D. Chandimal c Simmons b Bravo ...... 3 tourists flunking another trial- international A. Mathews c Holder b McCoy ...... 13 by-spin inside three days in the on Friday, leveling the three- A. Bandara c Simmons b Holder ...... 21 fourth and final Test. match series at 1-1. T. Perera run out (McCoy/Holder) ...... 2 India’s 13th consecutive Test W. Hasaranga ...... 19 Defending a moderate total N. Dickwella not out ...... 0 series victory at home also of 160-6, Wanindudu Hasaranga, Extras (b1, lb2, w6) ...... 9 secured their place in the June Akila Dananjaya and Danushka Total: (20 overs, 6 ) ...... 160 final of the World Test Cham- Gunathilaka took eight wickets, Did not bat: A. Dananjaya, D. Chameera, L. pionship against New Zealand. bowling out the West Indies for Sandakan In a sign of India’s strength, 117 in 18.4 overs. Fall of wickets: 1-95 (Nissanka), 2-96 (Gu- they won the last two matches Dananjaya, who made nathilaka), 3-104 (Chandimal), 4-119 (Mathews), in a total of five days - the usual history twice in the first match 5-129 (Perera), 6-154 (Bandara) duration of one Test match - at of a series - taking a hat trick Bowling: Edwards 2-0-19-0, Sinclair 4-0-32-0, Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Holder 4-0-36-1 (3w), McCoy 4-0-34-1 (1w), and conceding six sixes in one Bravo 4-0-25-2 (2w), Allen 2-0-11-0 Stadium. over - set the tone of the West Once again, Ravichandran Indies innings when he bowled WEST INDIES Ashwin and Axar Patel were the his four overs in succession in L. Simmons lbw b Hasaranga ...... 21 architects of their victory by an the power play, taking 1-13. E. Lewis b Dananjaya ...... 6 innings and 25 runs in the final Left-arm wrist spinner C. Gayle c Bandara b Hasaranga ...... 16 match. Lakshan Sandakan, who N. Pooran b Chameera ...... 8 The spinners took all 10 missed the first match of the J. Holder c Dananjaya b Gunathilaka ...... 9 wickets in England’s second series, took 3-14 from 3.4 overs, D. Bravo c Mathews b Chameera ...... 2 innings. They finished the series K. Pollard c Chandimal b Sandakan ...... 13 including the vital of F. Allen lbw b Hasaranga ...... 12 with a combined haul of 59 West Indies captain Kieron K. Sinclair c Nissanka b Sandakan ...... 3 wickets, even though Patel did Pollard for 13. It was Pollard not play the opening Test which O. McCoy b Sandakan ...... 23 Indian players celebrate their series win after beating England in the final Test yesterday. who won a place in history two F. Edwards not out ...... 1 England won. PHOTO COURTESY: BCCI days ago by becoming only the Extras (lb1, nb2) ...... 3 “The first game was a bit of third cricketer to hit six sixes Total (18.4 overs) ...... 117 an aberration, just a hiccup, to pick up our body language.” scored 46 and 50, the rest “The last three games have in an over in an international Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Lewis), 2-45 (Gayle), when England outplayed us,” After a below-par 205 in the looked scarred from their been Testing for us and we match, striking 38 from 11 balls. 3-48 (Simmons), 4-60 (Holder), 5-65 (Bravo), Kohli said. first innings, England needed a struggles against spin in the haven’t been able to match He held himself back on 6-66 (Pooran), 7-89 (Allen), 8-93 (Pollard), “You’re obviously happy vastly-improved batting per- previous match at the same India,” said Root, backing their 9-116 (McCoy), 10-117 (Sinclair) Friday, coming in at No. 7 but also when you’re winning so many formance in the second to stay venue. Jonny Bairstow regis- rotation policy. Bowling: Dananjaya 4-0-13-1, Chameera 4-0- found the pitch difficult to come 26-2 (2nb), Perera 2-0-42-0, Hasaranga 4-0- series but there are always alive, but their frontline tered his third duck in four “The world we are living to grips with, managing only 13 17-3, Sandakan 3.4-0-10-3, Gunathilaka 1-0-8-1 things to improve, like after the batsmen let them down again. innings, which may render his in now is not going to go from 15 balls with one six. first game in Chennai we had Barring Dan Lawrence, who place in England’s Test squad away, it’s really important we Sandakan removed him with a untenable. understand that and look after wider delivery which Pollard Indies batsmen tied down SCOREBOARD Root finished as the top- our players. looked to hoist over cover but early: the home team struggled ENGLAND 1st innings 205 ENGLAND 2nd innings scorer in the series following his “It’s a big year of cricket, which took a thick edge and flew to 25-1 after five overs. INDIA 1st innings (overnight 294-7) Z. Crawley c Rahane b Ashwin ...... 5 218 in the first Test, but it was there’s three formats to con- to the cover sweeper. Hasaranga then removed S. Gill lbw b Anderson ...... 0 D. Sibley c Pant b Patel...... 3 otherwise a miserable batting sider and we can’t keep playing Hasaranga was named man Simmons and Gayle in the R. Sharma lbw b Stokes...... 49 J. Bairstow c R. Sharma b Ashwin ...... 0 display by his side. guys until they fall over.” India of the match for his 3-17 from same over - the seventh - C. Pujara lbw b Leach...... 17 J. Root lbw b Ashwin...... 30 England crossed the 200- exploited their home advantage four overs and his unbeaten 19 accounting for two of the West V. Kohli c Foakes b Stokes ...... 0 B. Stokes c Kohli b Patel ...... 2 mark only twice in eight innings to win three matches in a row. in Sri Lanka’s innings. Indies most dangerous players. A. Rahane c Stokes b Anderson ...... 27 O. Pope st Pant b Patel...... 15 and repeatedly rejigged their Ashwin’s all-round bril- R. Pant c Root b Anderson ...... 101 D. Lawrence b Ashwin ...... 50 Nissanka was run out for 37 The threat of Pollard hung R. Ashwin c Pope b Leach ...... 13 B. Foakes c Rahane b Patel...... 13 combination in line with their liance helped level the series in in the 11th over and Gunathilaka over the match until late and W. Sundar not out ...... 96 D. Bess c Pant b Patel ...... 2 policy to rest multi-format Chennai and Patel bowled them went on to his half century from Sri Lanka was jubilant when he A. Patel run out (Bairstow/Root) ...... 43 J. Leach c Rahane b Ashwin ...... 2 players. to victory inside two days in the 35 balls before falling in the same fell relatively cheaply. I. Sharma lbw b Stokes ...... 0 J. Anderson not out ...... 1 They failed to read the third match in Ahmedabad. over with the total 96-2. The Obed McCoy hit 23 from M. Siraj b Stokes...... 0 Extras (b4, lb8) ...... 12 third-Test track, fielding a four- Rishabh Pant turned the remainder of the Sri Lanka only seven balls batting at No. Extras (b10, lb6, nb3) ...... 19 Total (54.5 overs, all out) ...... 135 pronged seam attack on a final Test with a match-winning Total (114.4 overs, all out) ...... 365 Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Crawley), 2-10 (Bairstow), batsmen struggled with the best 10, too late to change the Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Gill), 2-40 (Pujara), 3-41 3-20 (Sibley), 4-30 (Stokes), 5-65 (Pope), 6-65 spinners’ paradise. century before the spinners subsequent efforts coming from outcome of the match. (Kohli), 4-80 (Rahane), 5-121 (R. Sharma), 6-146 (Root), 7-109 (Foakes), 8-111 (Bess), 9-134 (Leach), By contrast, India’s spinners completed the rout. Ashen Bandara who made 21 The deciding match of the (Ashwin), 7-259 (Pant), 8-365 (Patel), 9-365 (I. 10-135 (Lawrence) sowed seeds of doubt in the The white-ball leg of the from 19 balls and Hasaranga T20 series will be played today. Sharma), 10-365 (Siraj) Bowling: Siraj 4-0-12-0, Patel 24-6-48-5, Ashwin mind of the English batsmen, series begins on March 12 with whose 19 came from 11 The teams will also play three Bowling: Anderson 25-14-44-3, Stokes 27.4-6-89- 22.5-4-47-5, Sundar 4-0-16-0 most of whom played for spin a five-match Twenty20 series deliveries. one-day games followed by 4 (nb1), Leach 27-5-89-2 (nb1), Bess 17-1-71-0 (nb1), Result: India won by an innings and 25 runs and then fell to deliveries that followed by three one-day Dananjaya kept the West two Test matches. Root 18-1-56-0 Series: India won four-Test series 3-1 did not turn. internationals.