The Oval Stadium in London witnessed one of the greatest Test wins for India as the Shubman Gill-led side won a thriller against England on Monday by just six runs, securing their narrowest win in this format, which also helped the visitors level the five-Test Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at 2-2.
Leading the way for a famous win was the Indian pace duo of Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, who both combined to account for 17 wickets in two innings. Where Krishna changed the course of the game with the wicket of Joe Root in the last session of Day 4, Siraj, with his relentless and probing attack, did the job by wrapping up the tail. Incidentally, India won both of their Tests in the series in the absence of World No. 1 Test bowler and ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah who played only three Tests due to avoid injury and workload management.
Former England cricketer Monty Panesar believes India does not depend on Bumrah. “This Indian team does not depend on Bumrah anymore. Bumrah’s hype is absolutely massive, but let’s be honest, India have a strong bowling attack,” said Panesar, as was quoted by Mid-Day.
He praised the lionhearted effort of Krishna and Siraj and said the duo can partner to open the bowling attack for India.
“(Prasidh) Krishna is getting better and better with every Test match. I think he can open the bowling with Siraj. They just need a third seamer, Akash Deep or Arshdeep Singh or someone else. Of course, Bumrah is a good bowler, but he wasn’t part of the matches that India won [in this series]. So, I don’t think they depend on him as much,” said Panesar.
“Siraj utilised the conditions really well. He’s a huge asset for Indian cricket. I think he leads the attack now and India need to build the attack around him,” he added on Siraj, who picked a five-wicket haul in the second innings and gave India a win from almost a losing position. On the final day of the fifth Test, India needed four wickets while England were just 35 runs away from clinching the series.
Panesar, a veteran of 50 Tests who has 167 scalps to his name in this format, also sang praises for new Indian Test captain Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir. “Young captain Gill has shown tremendous leadership in this Test series. Also, Gambhir has done well under the circumstances. He’s trying to bring in his new ideas and India need to back him because he’s taking the big decisions,” he said.
