Shubman Gill may have put on a record-breaking show with the bat in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy but it is Mohammed Siraj’s herculean effort that was the main reason behind India drawing the series, Australia great Greg Chappell has said. Siraj finished as the highest wicket-taker in the series, along with being the player that bowled more overs than anyone else, as he powered India to an improbable win in the fifth Test and helped them draw the series 2-2.
“I don’t think it is unfair to say that, despite the many wonderful batting efforts, Siraj was the main reason that India was competitive in the series,” wrote Chappell in his column for ESPNCricinfo.
“To be fair, he has turned in many fine performances before, at the MCG, the Gabba, Perth, Lord’s, Cape Town and Birmingham, but what he did at The Oval was his true coming of age. With or without Bumrah, he is ready to be the spiritual as well as actual leader of Gill’s attack.”
India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was available for only three Tests of the series and it has been noted to what extent Siraj seemed to improve whenever the former sat out a match. It is worth nothing that the two Tests India won in the series were both the only ones that Bumrah sat out. In the first of those Tests at Edgbaston, Siraj returned figures of 6/70 in England’s first innings. At the Oval, Siraj returned 4/86 in the first innings and 5/104 in the second, taking the final wicket that sealed India’s six-run victory.
“To bowl more than 185 overs in five Test matches over six weeks in any conditions is a physical, mental and emotional marathon. To do so with consistent intensity, while carrying the attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah for stretches, is bordering on heroic,” said Chappell.
‘India’s win at the Oval like Australia’s 1972 victory under Ian Chappell’
Chappell likened India’s victory at the Oval to Australia’s own victory against England in 1972 under the captaincy of his brothr Ian Chappell. “The parallels are too strong to ignore,” he said.
“In 1972, Australia arrived in England in a transitional phase. Bill Lawry had departed. Graham McKenzie, Ian Redpath – names synonymous with the preceding era – were gone. A young side, led by my brother, stood on the brink of the unknown. When we won the final Test to draw the series, with Dennis Lillee announcing his ascension to the Australian fast-bowling throne, we didn’t just save face. We established a tone – one of aggression, unity, and belief – that underpinned the golden era of the 1970s.
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“India in 2025 finds themselves at a similar inflection point. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin are all absent. Their replacements didn’t just fill gaps; they filled their boots and went on to create new ones. Shubman Gill, entrusted with the captaincy, brought a calm authority and youthful assertiveness,” said Chappell.
