Evaluating individual brilliance in a tense, hard-fought series
The curtain has fallen on what many now hail as one of the finest Test series of the modern
era-India's tour of England for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, 2025. And what a ride it has been. Five Tests. No dead rubbers. No dull days. Not even a single match ending inside four.
A series that went the distance-every hour of it-and finished at The Oval with India drawing the series 2-2. For a team in transition, far from home, bruised early, and without their full artillery at times, this draw tasted like victory.
Let's peel back the layers and examine how India's players rose-or failed-to the occasion in this classic.
Credit: ESPN
Gill lit up the gloom: India's engine roared back
When a side is 0-1 down in alien conditions, it needs more than just skill-it needs defiance. Shubman Gill provided that in spades. He didn't just score runs; he owned the moment. His 754 runs, laced with four centuries, weren't merely statistical decorations-they shaped India's resilience. Each time Gill went past 21, he converted it into a ton. His 430-run match haul at Edgbaston was the second-highest by a batter in a Test. Under pressure, Gill didn't wilt; he stormed back, setting up India's only win.
Credit: Walking Wicket
Yashasvi Jaiswal, on his maiden tour of England, didn't walk tall throughout but found his stride at The Oval, crafting a fine 118 that laid the foundation. A few soft dismissals dented his campaign, but his willingness to counter the swinging Dukes ball showed promise.
KL Rahul, too, played the role of senior statesman. Starting strongly in four of five Tests, his 532 runs were underpinned by wise judgement and temperament. Rahul absorbed the new-ball threat better than most openers on either side.
Middle muddle: Glimpses, but not quite glory
If the top order climbed the hill, the middle order sometimes lost its footing. Karun Nair's return offered little substance-just one fifty across eight attempts. He occupied the crease but never dominated it. Sai Sudharsan, who looked undercooked on debut, bounced back with a composed fifty and admirable temperament. He's not yet the finished article, but the raw material is compelling.
Credit: India TV News
Rishabh Pant, in contrast, looked like a man reborn-until injury struck. Despite missing the final Test, his 479 runs were a bold statement. He batted through pain, literally dragging himself across the pitch at times. Without him, India's middle-order lacked bite at The Oval.
Dhruv Jurel, in his limited appearances, didn't set the scoreboard on fire but held his nerve behind the stumps and played out crucial phases. The youngster's glovework stood out, especially to spinners.
Jadeja or Sundar? A tale of two all-rounders
Ravindra Jadeja's bat outshone his ball. His 516 runs, with one century and five fifties, made him India's crisis man in the lower order. He averaged over 85 across the second innings-a vital cog. However, his bowling faltered. Seven wickets at 72.42 betrayed his experience and turned matches like Headingley away from India.
Credit: Jadeja
Washington Sundar stepped up in that void. Bowling with control, batting with freedom, he emerged as India’s most reliable all-rounder. His 284 runs and seven wickets came with poise. When asked to accelerate, he did; when told to hang in, he did just that. The only quibble? Captain Gill's hesitation to bowl him more.
Siraj's fire, Bumrah's flicker, and the fast-bowling tale
Mohammed Siraj was India's spearhead. The lone pacer to feature in all five Tests, he bagged 23 wickets, constantly bending his back on lifeless pitches. He didn't just run in—he charged, owning the task in Bumrah's absence.
Jasprit Bumrah, restricted to three matches, still took 14 wickets. His spell at Lord's turned the tide. But at Old Trafford, he lacked sting and rhythm. Injuries blunted his edge.
Akash Deep's ten-wicket burst at Edgbaston gave India its only win. But the spark fizzled out after that. His declining fitness saw a rapid drop in impact. Krishna, meanwhile, showed fight, especially with eight wickets in the decider, turning up when it counted most.
Newcomers Nitish Reddy and Anshul Kamboj looked raw. Reddy's movement with the ball hinted at potential, but his batting never clicked. Kamboj, clearly not fit, endured a baptism by fire.
