The Indian Test team’s Shubman Gill era has officially begun, and plenty of work needs to be done, with a few areas needing long-term attention.
An eventful, memorable, and a little controversial event—the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy—has come to a terrific end. This series lived up to the hype, delivering moments that will stay with viewers for life. It was a tour that gave answers to many controversial questions regarding the young Indian team after the retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the two megastars of Indian cricket—and a sudden appointment of new captain Shubman Gill.
Gill Grabs the Crown
The Prince has taken over the era of the King. After the retirement of Virat Kohli, the place of number four has been dug out. There are several questions regarding this position—Is Gill going to claim it like Virat Kohli or is he going to create his own legacy? What is the track record of Gill in the SENA countries? He answered all this with his bat in a record-breaking series—754 runs in 10 innings.
And like previous captains, Gill didn't shy away from a fiery verbal fight with England batsmen; the legacy continues—and badge onto Shubman Gill. Claiming the Man of the Series with 754 runs, waving his bat higher—as well as every Indian cricket fan’s expectations.
During the series, many questioned the captaincy—but this is too early to judge his captaincy skills from just one Test series. There is a home series ahead which could help him stamp his authority.
Siraj – Miyaan Magic Is On Field
Mohammed Siraj carried the whole Indian bowling attack on his shoulders as Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of some matches in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Finishing the tour as the highest wicket-taker—a powerhouse and a workhorse for the Indian team. From taking down batsmen to bowling his heart out, Siraj was fully active on the field.
The condition of the ball doesn’t matter to him—new ball or old ball—he’s going to take the lead. Mohammed Siraj bowled the most overs in the series: 185.3 overs across five Tests, reflecting huge continuity and stamina.
Moh Siraj silently joined legends like Kapil Dev and Vinoo Mankad by playing.
KL Rahul – The Wall of India Team
This time, not in the middle—KL Rahul has sealed the opener spot for himself with authority. Over the years, he has struggled for a fixed position in the Indian cricket team—as an opener, as a middle-order batsman, or as a wicketkeeper. He has juggled all the positions—and claimed them, without any complaint.
This time, he stood tough as a wall for the Indian cricket team, scoring 532 runs from 10 innings. He finished as the third-highest run-getter of the tour and the only opener to cross the 500-mark on either side, with two centuries and as many half-centuries.
The Maverick – Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant was ruled out due to his broken foot. He might not have been the 5th batter to score 500 or more runs in the series, but Pant finishes the tour with 479 runs from seven innings, at an average of 68.43. He scored two centuries and three half-centuries and showed why he has been extremely important to the Indian cricket team and one of the best Test cricketers in recent years.
He began with two complete centuries, making him just the second wicketkeeper-batsman in history to do so. Even with his broken foot, he hobbled down the stairs at Old Trafford to hit a half-century and expand his aura.
Bow Down to Sir Jadeja
Due to his slow batting, he had lost at Lord’s—nah, then why would Jadeja remember? Even though he didn't bowl that many overs during the whole tour like Shoaib Bashir—who took 10 wickets from three Tests—an Indian cricket fan knows what Sir Jadeja brings to the team.
Defending at Lord’s like a wall, he kept India’s hope of an unlikely win alive. From keeping the situation under control, hitting with the bat when necessary, and even securing a draw at Old Trafford—for the first time in his career, Jadeja scored 500 runs during a Test series.
He delayed overs when the team wanted him to. He became a challenge to the England team—one they couldn’t solve this tour.
The Team Effort – Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Prasidh Krishna
B Sai Sudharsan made his debut during the series. He didn’t get the start he wanted and was then benched for the next two days, but brought back for the 4th Test—responding with a half-century and then a duck. Sai Sudharsan looks promising, but a work in progress.
Even Jaiswal, who scored 400+ runs in the series, is away from the limelight as a player—probably because he set the bar way too high for himself.
Prasidh Krishna also carried the bowling attack along with Siraj, taking four wickets in the fifth Test match and helping secure a draw.
The whole series went through many ups and downs for both the Indian team and England. But at the end of the series—India and England are going to share the trophy
