India lost a Test series they should have won

Sept.3 (CRICKETNMORE) - After the fourth cricket Test, India are left counting the positives and England walked away with the five-match series 3-1 with one to play at the Oval.

When India went into chase a 245-run target in the fourth innings it looked a perfect 50-50 game. In the end, 60 runs separated the teams. The series summary only says England won the series at Southampton but those who critically view the scoresheets of the four Tests will say that only at Lord's England were all over India.

The first Test should have gone India's way but they fell short by 31 runs and the fourth Test should have swung their way after they bowled England out for 246 in the first innings on the first day.

Just when Indian batsmen seemed to be coming to terms with England's pace, they found a new demon in off-spinner Moeen Ali, who ran through their side not once but twice, taking five and four wickets in the two innings, to seal the series.

Ironically, Moeen is making a comeback after going back to play in the county championship. He was brought back more to bolster the middle order after a double century the preceding week for Worcestershire in the County Championship. If they needed his spin to add to his batting they could have got him in, not leggie Adil Rashid in the first Test itself.

Moeen's exclusion had a sound reasoning. He had a nightmarish Ashes and then in New Zealand in the winter. He had confidence in his ability and bided his time, performing where it matters, in domestic cricket. 

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