James Anderson goes past Glenn McGrath in style as England complete 4-1 rout over India

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  • Anderson overtook McGrath's tally of 563 Test wickets.

    England clinched victory in the final session of the fifth Test against India at the Oval to complete a 4-1 rout of the visitors.

    Needing seven wickets for victory on the final day, the hosts were frustrated for a large time in front of a packed Oval crown before a 118-run victory was achieved in the final hour of the day’s play.

    With an action packed Tuesday bringing a fitting end to a hard-fought series between the two sides, we take a look at the key talking points from the final day.

    KL RAHUL FINALLY COMES TO THE PARTY

    It had been a series filled with frustrations and disappointments for KL Rahul who arrived at England on the back of a stupendous IPL campaign. It was meant to be his chance to stake a permanent claim to the opening slot but it seemed to be heading for a disappointing end after poor displays in the first four Tests.

    The signs that he was slowly finding his touch were there to see in the first innings at the Oval where Rahul racked up a quick-fire 37. It was when India were reduced to 2-3 in their chase of 464 in the final innings that Rahul truly burst into life.

    The right-hander finally showed the form that had grabbed eyeballs in the IPL with a display filled with some clean and effortless hitting. Taking the attack to the England bowlers, Rahul largely dealt in boundaries as he switched on his ODI batting-mode and racked up a total of 21 of them on his way to a fifth Test ton. He perished just one run shy of the 150-mark but for a brief while, his partnership with Rishabh Pant had raised the prospect of a miraculous India victory.

    A return to form finally: KL Rahul.

    A return to form finally: KL Rahul.

    RISHABH PANT SHOWS HIS PROMISE WITH BELLIGERENT TON

    If Rahul had sent a timely reminder of the fact that he can cut it in Test cricket, then Rishabh Pant signalled his readiness to become India’s long-term wicketkeeping option. The youngster had quickly faded away after a promising start to his Test career at Trent Bridge but on Sunday, he showed why he can be such a dangerous batsman in the format with a belligerent ton filled exemplified by brute power and fearless brand of cricket.

    He took Rahul’s cue in taking the attack to the hosts with some fierce cuts and pulls and showed no fear in taking the aerial route too. Bringing up his maiden Test ton with a towering six off Adil Rashid, the youngster’s chancy innings at one point looked like he would carry India to a famous victory. However, he ultimately fell on 114 after attempting another slog off Rashid but his 204-run stand with Rahul had showed that the 20-year-old has plenty of fight in his belly.

    What was ever more remarkable about his century was the fact that it was the first by an Indian wicket-keeper in South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia.

    A fearless innings from the young wicketkeeper.

    A fearless innings from the young wicketkeeper.

    ANDERSON GOES PAST MCGRATH TO CLINCH ENGLAND WIN

    Throughout the series, the prize wicket of Virat Kohli had evaded England’s spearhead James Anderson. When Pant and Rahul were going great on Tuesday, it even looked like the veteran seamer might not inch past Glenn McGrath’s tally of 563 Test wickets having equalled it on Monday.

    That wait was exacerbated further on the final day with the landmark wicket proving elusive to Anderson for most of the day while the likes of Rashid and Sam Curran picked away at India’s tailenders.

    With India nine down in the final session, the moment was slipping out of Anderson’s grasp until he finally got one to land in the perfect area to flatten Mohammed Shami’s middle-stump. Just like Alastair Cook had got the perfect sendoff, Anderson befittingly became the all-time leading wicket-taker among pacers with the final delivery of the series. It was just reward for a man who also finished as the highest wicket-taker in the series with 24 scalps to his name.

    A landmark moment for the veteran Englishman.

    A landmark moment for the veteran Englishman.

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