On August 13, 2011, the Andrew Strauss-led Englandthrashed Team India at Edgbaston and became the number one Test side for the first time since the establishment of the International Cricket Council (ICC)
rankings. India, who were already trailing in the four-match series by 2-0, were required to win the game in Birmingham to save the series. At the toss, the English captain Strauss emerged victorious and elected to bowl first. England’s fast-bowling trio of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and Tim Bresnan looked dominating and bundled out the visitors on 224. Except for skipper MS Dhoni, no batter looked disciplined with his bat. The India skipper scored 77 off 96.
Broad and Bresnan picked up four wickets apiece while James Anderson also picked up two scalps. Following the total, England put up a humongous total of 710/7 declared. English opener Alastair Cook played the knock of 294, which became the best innings of his Test career. Eoin Morgan also hammered 104. Captain Strauss, Kevin Pietersen, and Bresnan also chipped in with their half-centuries from their bats.
India crumbled under pressure while following the colossal total
Following the total, Team India lost Virender Sehwag to James Anderson on the second delivery of the innings. Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid also departed before their team reached 50 runs. Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni strove to stabilise the innings with their 40 and unbeaten 74 respectively but their efforts weren’t enough to stop England from claiming the huge triumph.
India got folded on 244 and the English side took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series. Cook became the Player of the Match (POTM) for his unprecedented batting display. England toppled India to claim the number one Test spot. They remained in the top position until August 2012 until their defeat against the Graeme Smith-led South Africa at home.
