Follow UsWith Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R Ashwin retiring from Test cricket ahead of the five-match series in England, not many, including former England cricketers, expected a young Indian side led by Shubman Gill to put up much of a fight against Ben Stokes and his men. Former England captain Michael Vaughan even predicted a 3-1 series win for the hosts.
But the Indian team defied expectations and fought valiantly throughout the series, finishing with a 2-2 scoreline after a stunning win in the final Test at The Oval. Chasing 374, England looked firmly in control as Joe Root and Harry Brook scored centuries and put together a 195-run partnership for the fourth wicket. With just 73 runs needed and six wickets in hand, the match seemed to be slipping away from India. However, Akash Deep broke the vital stand by dismissing Brook, and Prasidh Krishna followed up with the crucial scalps of Jacob Bethell and Root late on Day 4, giving India an opening.
On the final day, England needed only 35 more runs with four wickets in hand. But Mohammed Siraj turned the tide dramatically. He struck twice in quick succession to remove Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton, before Prasidh sent back Josh Tongue. With just six runs required, Gus Atkinson tried to keep England afloat, but Siraj finished things off in style, producing a searing inswinging yorker that shattered Atkinson’s off stump and sealed a historic Indian win.
Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, England are yet to win a Test series against India or Australia, despite playing both at home. In their earlier 2024 tour of India, they had been thrashed 4-1. Former India offspinner Harbhajan Singh took the opportunity to hit back at Vaughan.
“I feel there is a big win hidden for India here. Yes, the scoreline shows 2-2. Michael Vaughan and many others predicted that it would be 3-1 or 3-0. I would tell them to look towards their side a bit and where England cricket stands. Our warriors have shown the level of Indian cricket,” Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel, as reported by Hindustan Times.
“Unbelievable Test match and the way India have played the series, they deserve praise. When the team went to England, many people said it was young and there were no seniors. But see how the young team created history.”
India are now set to host four home Tests in 2025 - two against West Indies in October and two against South Africa in November.