England beaten by India in less than TWO DAYS as controversial pitch causes shortest Test match since 1935

An extraordinary day of Test cricket saw England defeated by India before stumps on day two in Ahmedabad.

The Indians took a 2-1 lead in the series, ending England’s chance of victory and their hopes in the Test Championship, as spin caused complete carnage.

BCCI

What a remarkable Test match

Having been bowled out in their first innings for 112, England had appeared to fightback as India were themselves rolled over for 145.

Joe Root, a part-time spinner at best, took his first-ever five-wicket haul – but that only served as a warning to England about the pitch they were about to bat on again.

Their second innings was even worse than the first as India knocked them down for 81, taking all ten wickets in 30.4 overs.

Ravi Ashwin and Axar Patel did all the damage yet again as England were totally unable to predict what the ball would do.

BCCI

Axar Patel took two wickets in the first three balls of England’s second innings

Coming out to begin the last innings of the match before tea on day two, the hosts required just 49 runs – and even that seemed like a task on this wicket.

But Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill eased India over the line.

The match was over in just 140.6 overs, making it the shortest Test match since 1935 – and while it was entertaining, questions will be asked about the surface.

But speaking on talkSPORT 2, Kevin Pietersen rejected any criticism of the pitch as an excuse for England’s batting.

BCCI

India won by ten wickets in the end

He said on talkSPORT2: “If England had won this Test match there is no way we would be sitting here hammering the wicket.

“There was nothing dangerous about this wicket. That is what the ICC look at. If the wicket is dangerous that is when they decide to deduct points.

“Yes there was definitely an overriding ball wins over bat in this Test match but it was a one-off. You are in the sub-continent. When you go to Perth, what happens there?”