India hammered by England, loses top test

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India lost the 3rd Test match by an innings inside four days. England are now sitting pretty at 3-0 up in the four-Test series. The question now is: Will India will slip to the third slot? And that will happen if India lose the 4th Test as well.

Prior to the series beginning, India were ranked 1st in Tests, with South Africa 2nd and England 3rd. India were favourites going into the series after being the best team in Tests for some 18 months.


India played and defeated South Africa in a number of hard-fought Tests both home and away and also faced stern challenges against Sri Lanka. They didn't win every match but stayed ahead. The big challenge was meant to be their tour of Australia later in the year. If they could win that, then there could be no disputing their title of best test team in the world.

It is not like England flogged India. It was fairly close, and, given that it was effectively Eight vs 11, India could perhaps suggest that they were on top. Zaheer Khan missed the second Test, but a fully fit bowler replaced him. At least they had eleven fit and ready players.