'Brisbane was bigger than Oval': Ex-India wicketkeeper reflects on IND-ENG series

Ex-India wicketkeeper reflects on IND-ENG series (BCCI Photo)

India secured an impressive win at the Oval, which helped Shubman Gill and Co. finish the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on level terms. Mohammed Siraj led the show and helped the side win the contest in the most thrilling fashion.

However, ex-India cricketer Saba Karim, who has also worked as a national selector previously, has rated the win behind India's famous breach at the Gabbatoir in January 2021. Karim noted the same while speaking on NDTV's Tea Toast and Sports podcast.

“Brisbane was bigger. It had never ever happened before in Australia and that also with a very young side, with most of the regulars injured on the sidelines. For India to script that kind of a win was unbelievable. And generally, I think that's how you see a growth of a side - when you're able to do well and win matches, even when one or two of your regular players are not available."

Also Read | Ravichandran Ashwin–CSK bond faces uncertain future as split looms ahead of IPL 2026: Report

He then switched focus to final Test at Oval, which Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant were not part of the XI and still India defied the odds to secure a series levelling victory.

"Even in this Test match, for that matter, we didn't have Jasprit Bumrah, we didn't have Rishabh Pant, still we went out and won the last Test match,” added Saba.

“If you draw comparisons, let me talk about the Australia draw first. Australian draw was more difficult because the conditions were more variable and then you're against a top quality bowling attack. It was so good to see the batting display, that kind of zeal, that kind of rear guard action. England was different because one had to battle for a longer duration of time to script a draw and I think.”

Also Read | Not CSK, Aakash Chopra identifies KKR 'most desperate team' to rope Sanju Samson, explains why

Karim also emphasised that the players may feel that they could have won the series, considering how they dominated a majority of the sessions played. “In the end, I am sure that there is a strong feeling in the Indian side that they could have won the Test series. Because the number of sessions India won in the entire series is higher than what England could achieve. What England was able to do is that win those important or those critical sessions. And I think the turnaround from England's perspective was more than the Indian side. And I think that is why we were able to draw the series.”