England vs India 2018, Fifth Test: Hits and Misses

England has finally wrapped up the series by a margin of 4-1 against the Indian unit who didn't leave a stone unturned in making a comeback into the series following their heroics at Nottingham.

Every single member of the English playing XI contributed when it mattered the most, be it with the bat or with the ball, thereby laying down total dominance over the visiting unit.

Talking about the Indian team, while their bowling did manage to rip through the English lineup on almost all occasions, it was their batting which made matters sour, especially in the first and fourth Tests which they lost by chasable margins.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli whose performance was of utmost importance in the ongoing series emerged as the leading run-scorer with 593 runs under his belt, in the process shutting down the critics who had doubted his prowess in the English conditions. Had he received the necessary partnerships from his fellow mates in the first and fourth games, the outcome we know would have been different.

Here's a look at Hits and Misses from the final Test.

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#1 Hit: Alastair Cook

Alastair Cook

The GOAT from England now ranks fifth in the list of leading run scorers in the red-ball cricket. He's also the leading run-getter among the left-handed batsmen in the longer format of the game.

His knock of 147 in 286 deliveries helped him get past the run tally of Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara (12,400 runs), in the process allowing him to secure a place for himself amidst the league of extraordinary batsmen who've scored centuries in their first and final games.

#2 Hit: Joe Root

Joe Root

The English skipper had to wait for a year to score his 14th Test century which also ended his dry run in the ongoing series. Prior to the fifth Test, Root had amassed only a solitary fifty which came in during the first Test at Edgbaston, followed by a series of low totals until the game at Kennington Oval.

His knock of 125 in 190 deliveries helped England in putting up a total of 464 runs for the Indian unit. The grit and determination with which he played during Day 4 of the final Test is a testament to his potency in the red-ball cricket.

#3 Miss: Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan

The southpaw's failure in both innings of the game put immense pressure onto the Indian unit. With scores of 3 and 1 in the first and second innings respectively, Dhawan has now clouded his chances to be selected among the playing XI on their upcoming Test series against the Kangaroos which would commence in November end.

Had he played with an attitude and mindset similar to the one he portrayed in the third Test at Nottingham then India could have given a tough fight to Englishmen in the final contest. If not a victory, but a draw would have been possible for Kohli's men.

#4 Hit: Ravindra Jadeja

If only Ravindra Jadeja was among the playing XI in the previous Tests, then India would have created history over the English soil, something they had been eyeing for the last four years since their defeat in 2014 series.

With 4-wicket haul in the first innings, followed by a knock of 86* in the second innings he concreted his position in the Indian unit for the tours that would be happening down under. His sword show was nothing short of an entertainment for the visitors, who had turned up in massive numbers to witness the riveting contest.

#5 Hit: Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali

The English all-rounder was yet again one of the key players of the final contest against the visiting unit. His fifty in the first innings of the game, backed by crucial wickets in 2nd and 4th innings contributed immensely to the team's victory against an equally potent competent Indian unit.

His prowess as an all-rounder was put to a great use in the final Test thereby laying a solid foundation for a sweet and memorable farewell to England's all-time legend.

#6 Miss: Keaton Jennings

Keaton Jennings

Jennings is perhaps going through a rough patch in his career. In 9 innings, he has amassed merely 163 runs, with a high score of 42 in the 1st Test held at Edgbaston. With scores of 23 and 10 in the first and second innings, his position as an opener is under a stake at the moment. It's time he levels up his game, or a replacement could come in at any instant.