Shamed! Empire strikes back, forces India to capitulate tamely in Nagpur Test

England staged a strong comeback in the next match in Mumbai where the hosts were crushed by 10 wickets, and the script was pretty similar in Kolkata -- the venue for the third Test -- where the visitors cruised to a seven-wicket victory at the Eden Gardens.

This is also the first time in the last eight years that India have suffered a Test series defeat at home. Australia beat India 2-1 in 2004-05.

Trott made an obdurate 143 in 406 minutes, hitting 18 fours, while Bell was equally tenacious in making an unbeaten 116 in 383 minutes as the duo dashed the hosts' hopes of a series-levelling win with their 208-run fourth-wicket partnership.

For India, Ravichandran Ashwin took two for 99 while Pragyan Ojha and Ravindra Jadeja picked up a wicket apiece.

The visitors had made 330 in the first innings and the hosts had replied with 326 for nine declared.

Incidentally, just like Alastair Cook and his men have done in this rubber, Gower's outfit too had rebounded after losing the opening Test.

After trailing 1-2 it became a formidable task for India ahead of series decider.

India had a whiff of a chance when they reduced England to 139 for five on the first day, but did not tighten the noose as Root (73) and wicketkeeper Matt Prior (57) led the tourists' revival with a partnership of 103.

And after managing to restrict England to 330, the Indian batting was rocked by the fiery three-wicket burst from James Anderson.

Virat Kohli and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni led the fightback on day three with a stand of 198.

After conceding a small lead of four runs, India once again allowed England to escape after having them at a shaky 94 for three yesterday when Trott and Bell joined hands to frustrate the Indian attack for more than five hours.

... contd.

ALSO READ

What Next: Will Sreesanth get away for want of proper laws on fixing?

Spot-fixing haunts IPL, Sreesanth arrested by Delhi Police

Down with flu but Kieron Pollard still a smash-hit

Indian Premier League: A Mighty Six