Reflections on the summer series.
India at times had England in difficulty throughout, if you look at just the first and fourth tests, where England won by 30 and 60 runs, that's just an aggregate difference of 90, so they were closer but overall the better side in the series came out on top. There were certain parts of the Indian team that were absolutely exceptional. This is far and away the best seam attack they've ever had on these shores and Kohli the batsman was just imperious at times. All this though has to be set against their total lack of any support for him with the bat and the impression that England for the most part had, of get Kohli out and they're all out soon after.
There were well documented reasons for why it went so badly, pitifully poor preparation, dreadful selection, notably at Lord's when Kuldeep played under leaden skies, a completely barmy pick, but most of all Virat Kohli the captain.
There is the reality, India with the crown of being the number one test match nation have now lost by a crushing 4-1 scoreline to a supposedly mediocre number five ranked England with a fragile top order, and this on the back of their loss in South Africa.
They may well beat the West Indies but have then got to go to Australia. Home form and the high percentage of home tests will always give them a high ranking, It all leaves their professed aim of being the best tourists in the world as looking more than a little hollow.
England's middle and lower order batsmen outclassed the majority of India's batsmen, and together with white ball specialist Jos Buttler, a balanced attack led by Jimmy, and a phalanx of all rounders, were deservedly victorious.
Curran made crucial runs in difficult situations and added extra variety and menace with his left arm bowling, he made a real difference, a bright future beckons as a real all rounder. All in all they can't be in that bad a place if they've just won 4-1 against the top ranked side in the world, despite so many in the media tearing a strip of them
Moeen with his tighter action must now surely be better equipped for touring, Curran is a real find and uses the angles well as a left armer going round the wicket, has the ability to bowl slower balls and is a batsman who scores runs in big moments. He'll need to show it can work even in Sri Lanka.
This has been a fantastic advertisement for test match cricket, the crowds have poured out to see some marvellous seam bowling, some gritty batting towards the end of the series and an England team where just about everybody made a contribution. England are now on the rise, have exciting young players breaking through, and with the test match version of Buttler and Sam Curran, have new weapons in their armoury.
Lastly, what a wonderful finale and send-off for one of England's all time best and a thoroughly likeable hero, he won't be forgotten.
