India, June 25 -- Three years since that Edgbaston Test, nothing has changed for England. That Tuesday, 378 runs were knocked off in 77 overs. This Tuesday, 373 were brought up in 82 overs. Integral to both wins was Joe Root, his belligerent century dashing India's hopes in 2022, his experience coming through for England here in the form of an assured fifty after Ben Duckett set up the chase with an indomitable hundred while putting on 188 for the opening wicket.

Twice now in recent history have India failed to close out a game despite their bowlers getting more than 350 to defend. That only England could have pulled off something like this is beside the point. This defeat must really hurt because of the lack of runs from the lower order...