India has decided to go with some young players dropping some experienced ones for Test Series against England. Both the teams have decided to play 5 Tests in India, part of World Test Championship 2024-26. Youngsters have taken on Bazball of England, without any fear on the field. Kuldeep Yadav has been a huge revelation in this series as Indian management took him over Axar Patel.
Among other youngsters, Yashasvi Jaiswal has been a huge revealtion, too. He scored 712 runs in this series and became the second Indian batter ever to score more than 700 runs in a Test series behind Sunil Gavaskar. Sarfaraz Khan, Devdutt Padikkal and Dhurv Jurel have been tested in this series and they looked fearless.
On a turning pitch, Dhurv Jurel saved India from a loss and tricky situation while both Khan and Padikkal made use of opportunties with good half-centuries. The series turned out to be a monumental one for various players as well. Ravichandran Ashwin completed his 100 Tests in this series and even achieved 500 Test wickets mark. He is the second Indian spinner behind Anil Kumble to achieve this landmark.
For England, captain Ben Stokes completed 100 Tests, by Rajkot Test and Jonny Bairstow has also achieved the mark in the final Test. Above all, James Anderson has achieved 700 wickets milestone and became first pace bowler ever to take so many wickets. He also became first bowler ever to play 187 Tests and have a long career of 21 years. He is also the second player to play so many tests behind Sachin Tendulkar, who played 200.
After a series win in Australia with inexperienced players and being dismissed for lowest score 36 in an innings, we can say that this series has given Indian team a peak into the future. With Cheteswar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, not being looked at as Test batter options, India needs youngsters to take the challenge of playing Test cricket at the highest level.
With IPL money attracting more youngsters, it is heartening to see Sarfaraz Khan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel and Shubman Gill showing such hunger to perform. Kuldeep Yadav has also become the only bowler to take 50 wickets in all formats for India. While many anticipated India to win by 5-0, in the absence of Virat Kohli, on turning pitches Young Indian batters did not allow English spinners to dominate at any instance.
Hence, after surprise First Test loss, India won the series won convincingly with 4-1 scoreline. With Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin also growing old, may be India needs even more younger bowlers to rise their hands and take up the opportunities. Kuldeep Yadav showed his class and India needs to find great spin bowling replacements as well. For now, we can say that Young Indian batting is looking potentially strong and hope they perform in SENA countries, too.
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