The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025: A look beyond the scoreboard

The recently concluded Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy between India and England in the summer of 2025 was more than just another chapter in the long rivalry between two of cricket’s greatest Test-playing nations. It wasn’t about who won the toss, who scored how many runs on a given day, or which bowler bagged a five-wicket haul in a particular innings. Instead, this was a series that showcased resilience, revealed vulnerabilities, and highlighted the delicate balance between tradition and transition that both teams are grappling with in this World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

For India, the 2–2 result was as much a testament to their adaptability as it was a signal of the rebuilding phase they find themselves in. And for England, the series was another reminder of how Bazball can sometimes blaze like wildfire and at other times leave them burnt.

But beyond the scorecards, what does this series really tell us? And what does it mean for the future of Indian Test cricket?

A New Era of Leadership: Shubman Gill’s Coming of Age

India entered this series with a sense of anticipation. For the first time in nearly a decade, their Test team was led not by a Kohli, a Rahane, or a Rohit, but by Shubman Gill, a 25-year-old whose batting elegance had already made him the poster boy of the next generation. Gill’s appointment as captain was not just about transition, it was about sending a message: the Indian Test side was no longer merely inheriting the past, it was beginning to shape its own identity.

And Gill delivered. With 754 runs across the series, including a majestic double century at Edgbaston, he batted with the poise of a veteran but the fearlessness of youth. His innings weren’t just numbers. They were psychological blows to England, particularly when he dug in against Anderson and Tongue under overcast skies.

More importantly, his leadership was calm, calculated, and inclusive. Gill didn’t react in extremes; he allowed bowlers the freedom to set their fields, backed young players even after failures, and exuded quiet confidence. In many ways, his captaincy signaled that India was prepared for a post-Kohli, post-Rohit future, built not on aggression alone but on composure and adaptability.

Siraj, Prasidh, and the Art of Bowling Under Pressure

If Gill was the face of batting resilience, Mohammed Siraj was the heartbeat of India’s bowling attack. With 23 wickets, Siraj not only finished as the leading wicket-taker of the series but also cemented his role as India’s go-to strike bowler overseas. His ability to swing the ball late, combined with the stamina to bowl long spells, often gave India breakthroughs just when England seemed to be running away with the game.

But the real fairy-tale story came at The Oval, in the final Test, when Prasidh Krishna turned what looked like a lost cause into a famous six-run win. His eight wickets in the match, including a decisive burst in the second innings, didn’t just tilt the game but also salvaged India’s WTC campaign. It was the kind of performance that careers are built on, the kind selectors point to when making tough calls for future tours.

The bowling unit’s story was not one of domination throughout the series but of impact in moments that mattered most. It was a reminder that in Test cricket, momentum often hinges not on entire sessions but on passages of play where one bowler, one spell, or even one delivery changes everything.

England’s Fighting Spirit – Woakes and the Culture of Grit

While India’s narrative was one of transition, England’s was of defiance. Nothing epitomized this more than Chris Woakes walking out to bat with a dislocated shoulder in the final Test. This was no less than the equally heroic display by Rishabh Pant in the previous Test, when he came out to bat with a broken foot.

As the crowd cheered for Woakes, commentators gasped, and social media lit up. He didn’t win England the match, but in that single act, Woakes became the face of what makes Test cricket timeless, with a heroic willingness to endure pain for the team and the game.

Bazball, for all its detractors, ensured England never died wondering. Some of their collapses were spectacular, but so were their counterattacks. What England showed India (and indeed the world) is that Test cricket’s charm lies in its unpredictability. One side may appear in control, but two quick wickets or one reckless hour can flip the script.

Turning Points That Defined the Series

Instead of narrating every match, let us reflect on the crucial junctures where the series swung:

• Gill’s 269 at Edgbaston: A captain’s knock that turned a precarious start into a statement innings, demoralizing England’s bowlers.

• Siraj’s spell at Headingley: Breaking the opening partnership on the second morning set the tone for India’s fightback.

• Lower-order resistance at The Oval: Karun Nair’s gritty unbeaten 52 and Washington Sundar’s stubborn defence stretched India’s total just enough for Prasidh to have a target to defend.

• Prasidh Krishna’s 4/24 in the fourth innings at The Oval: The single biggest turning point of the series, sealing a famous victory by six runs.

Each of these moments reminded us that while Bazball thrives on bursts of aggression, India’s brand of resilience and patience can be equally decisive.

The Sai vs Karun Question

Every Test series throws up selection debates, and this one was no different. For India, two names became the subject of heated discussions: Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair.

Karun Nair: The Veteran’s Second Life

Karun, recalled after nearly a decade in the wilderness, had moments of promise but largely failed to convert starts. His technique against the short ball was repeatedly exposed, and his inability to build on 20s and 30s hurt India at crucial junctures. The lone exception came at The Oval, where his unbeaten 52 gave India a chance. But in international cricket, especially in a packed middle-order race, one innings rarely outweighs six failures.

Sai Sudharsan: The Future Prospect

Sai Sudharsan’s debut wasn’t spectacular, but it was marked by maturity. Scores of 0 and 30 may not stand out, yet his composure, defensive solidity, and willingness to graft were evident. He didn’t look out of place against Anderson or Woakes. That matters. For a 23-year-old, selectors will weigh potential more heavily than immediate returns.

A Broader Bench: Iyer, Easwaran, and Sarfaraz

• Shreyas Iyer, though not in the current Test setup, brings white-ball pedigree but still has technical frailties in red-ball cricket.

• Abhimanyu Easwaran has long been a domestic run-machine and is a steady backup option, though the selectors seem hesitant to give him a long rope.

• Sarfaraz Khan, by contrast, grabbed his opportunity with both hands. His debut innings of 62 and 68* showed intent, confidence, and a refusal to be bogged down. He looked like a player ready for the rigors of Test cricket.

Assessment: Karun’s recall looks more like a stopgap than a long-term solution. Sai and Sarfaraz, on the other hand, represent the future. Easwaran is reliable but unspectacular, while Iyer’s Test credentials remain doubtful until proven.

Impact on the WTC Cycle

The 2–2 draw keeps India alive in the 2025–27 WTC cycle, but the bigger picture is about building a side that can consistently challenge away from home. Here are the key takeaways:

1. Youth at the Core: With Gill, Sai, Sarfaraz, and Prasidh, India has a young nucleus. Their development will define India’s chances in the next two years.

2. Bowling Depth Matters: Injuries to Bumrah or Shami will no longer cripple India if Siraj and Prasidh continue to mature as spearheads.

3. Middle-Order Uncertainty: Until a stable No. 3 and No. 5 are locked in, India will remain vulnerable in seaming conditions. This is where selectors must choose between investing in youth (Sai, Sarfaraz) or leaning on experience (Karun, Iyer).

4. Discipline and Points Penalties: The WTC’s strict over-rate and conduct penalties nearly cost India valuable points in this series. Under Gill, managing game tempo will be as important as winning sessions.

Key takeaways from the series

This series was not just about India or England - it was about the state of Test cricket itself.

• Viewership Spike: Free-to-air broadcasts and viral clips of Woakes batting with one arm and Prasidh’s final burst brought back a sense of romance around Tests.

• Narrative Power: Stories of grit, comeback, and heartbreak resonated far more than any franchise T20 result this year.

• India’s Role: As the biggest market for cricket, India’s commitment to backing youth in Tests, rather than resting stars exclusively for T20Is, will shape how global fans perceive the longest format.

This was not a dead rubber series. It was a live demonstration that Test cricket, when played with intent and storylines, remains unmatched in drama and depth.

The final word

At the end of five gripping Tests, the scoreboard read 2–2. But the real result lies elsewhere:

• Gill emerged not just as a captain but as a leader of a new era.

• Siraj and Prasidh established India’s bowling future.

• Karun Nair’s career hangs in the balance, while Sai Sudharsan and Sarfaraz Khan look poised to inherit the mantle.

• The WTC cycle remains wide open, but India has the raw material to dominate if selections are bold and consistent.

Test cricket is often accused of being too slow for modern tastes, but this series proved the opposite: that no other format can stretch human emotion, resilience, and strategy across five days in such epic proportions. For India, the draw wasn’t a disappointment. It was a stepping stone. The seeds of the future have been sown. And if nurtured well, they could define Indian cricket’s next golden decade.

Jai Ho!

High-handed Ben Stokes shown his rightful place

Dear Ben Stokes, 

After making such a stellar contribution with bat and ball in the fourth Test at Manchester, you served a very important lesson to everyone: One could be his country's captain, one could have performed with the most impressive numbers in batting as well as bowling. But if your conduct reeks of condescension and high-handedness, it lends a very avoidable yet glaring blemish in your otherwise laudable performance during the Test.

I am not here to summarize the scorecard or even the match. Everyone knows the result and everyone would agree that the Indian team earned a very creditable draw, easily coming out of Day 5 as the happier of the two sides.

The critics of Test cricket often argue that it might not be exciting because even after 5 long days of cricket, there might be a draw, which means neither team won. But so what? Isn't life also like that at times? At times, the scales of which of the two sparring opponents has the upper hand are not always unequivocally tilted toward any one specific way. 

Denying a win to your opponent, after what looked like a done-and-dusted content to even the most ardent fans, can be extremely satisfying. Even as good as (if not better than) a win. Just look back at what Ashwin, and Hanuma Vihari did at Sydney in 2021. Or what Gautam Gambhir achieved at Napier in 2009. This was just as much of a great Test match where a draw was achieved by batting to save the match against all odds and when everything seemed like a foregone conclusion and lost long, long ago.

Anyway, Mr. Stokes, I digress. The point is that after another such thrilling encounter between two highly competitive sides, when a draw was clearly on the cards, why did you have to resort to an attitude that does not behove an international cricketer, let alone the captain of his team?

Nobody is contesting the fact that why did you offer a draw? Just as that's very much within the rules, so is the fact that the Indian players were similarly entitled to exercise their choice. How can this everyone-needs-to-bow-down-and-comply-with-my-choice attitude be entertained by any fair person?

"So you want to get your hundred batting against Book?"

No, Jadeja didn't say so, Mr. Stokes. Bring on Carse, Dawson, Archers, Woakes, and you yourself - who's stopping you? Since when did the fact that you didn't want to risk your main bowlers getting injured become your opponent (India's) problems? 

In fact, it was only nice of the Indians to shake hands as soon as both Washy and Jaddu got to their hundreds. I would have loved to see India playing out the full hour. Why not? Isn't it part of the tactics to tire out the opposition, every possible way? You may find that it does not lead to a result but look at it from the Indian team's POV: Isn't tiring your (any) bowlers and keeping your team on the field for that much (read every possible minute) longer worth it? Is it not a good result from an Indian POV? Sure, it might not suit you but again how is that India's problem? This is why the consent of both captains is sought before a mutually agreed draw an hour being scheduled close of play on Day 5. Only and only if BOTH captains agree.

So gulp your grumpy high-handed attitude down your throat and embrace humility. It is only when you give others the respect that they rightfully deserve that you will also get respect in return. Otherwise, all the wonderful numbers and performances you put would come with a disclaimer: Aah, if only he were a nicer and fairer person too, who could have learnt to accept that the world is not here to just comply with him.

Go well and hope to see a better version of you, going forward.

Cheers!

Lessons from the first Test

Ab jo ho gaya, so ho gaya. But it's time to reflect and ensure we identify and learn from our mistakes from this Test to come up with a better result next time.

The first Test between India and England in the Tendulkar–Anderson Trophy offered more than just a contest between bat and ball; it was a lesson-rich chapter for Team India. As the series progresses, let's look at the key takeaways from this match which can be very important for crafting a successful campaign.

1. The Importance of Mental Resilience

One of the biggest takeaways is the significance of mental fortitude. The match illustrated how quickly momentum can shift in Test cricket. England's comeback from a challenging position in the second innings underscored the necessity for India to maintain focus and composure across all sessions.

2. Understanding Conditions Better

While the pitch offered balanced conditions for both batters and bowlers, adapting quickly was key. In the first Test, Joe Root and England's tail adjusted to the pitch by relying more on sweeps and counter-attacks, putting pressure on India's bowlers. The lesson here is for India to read the surface and weather dynamics more astutely and adjust strategies accordingly.

3. Bowling in Partnerships

Effective bowling in partnerships can apply more pressure and create more opportunities. The first Test witnessed moments where India's bowlers, despite starting strong, failed to maintain pressure from both ends. This allowed England's batters like Ollie Pope to settle and build match-defining innings. Building a collaborative approach within the bowling unit can turn the tide in long matches.

4. The Role of Tailenders

With the tail becoming increasingly valuable, ensuring lower-order contributions can no longer be overlooked. In this match, England's tail wagged effectively, adding valuable runs that bolstered their total. Team India needs to focus more on tail-end batting preparation and adopt strategies that enable lower-order resilience.

5. Seizing Opportunities

Dropping crucial catches or failing to utilize moments of vulnerability can prove costly. The match emphasized the necessity of sharp fielding and clinical execution when opportunities arise, as evidenced by a crucial dropped chance that allowed England's batters to extend their innings significantly.

Conclusion

The first Test of the Tendulkar–Anderson Trophy was a reminder that victories are built upon countless moments of discipline, resilience, and teamwork. By focusing on these learnings, Team India can approach the rest of the series with a more robust and refined mindset, ready to rise to the challenge posed by a formidable England side.
Jai Ho!

Thank you, champions: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

This month witnessed the end of an era in India's rich history of Test cricket as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirements from the format. These two stalwarts, who have been the bedrock of India's batting lineup for over a decade, leave behind a legacy that transcends mere statistics. Their contributions have not only shaped the course of Indian cricket but have also inspired a generation of cricketers to embrace the challenges of the longest format with zeal and commitment.

Rohit Sharma: The Elegant Enforcer

Early Promise and Challenges

Rohit Sharma's journey in Test cricket is a testament to perseverance and adaptability. Making his debut in 2013 against the West Indies, he announced his arrival with a majestic 177 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. However, despite this promising start, consistency eluded him in the initial years, leading to intermittent appearances in the Test squad.

Reinvention as an Opener

The turning point in Rohit's Test career came in 2019 when he was promoted to open the innings. This strategic move unlocked a new dimension in his batting. In his first series as an opener against South Africa, he amassed 529 runs, including twin centuries in Visakhapatnam and a career-best 212 in Ranchi. His ability to seamlessly blend aggression with technique redefined the role of an opener in modern Test cricket.

Memorable Innings

• 127 vs England, The Oval (2021): Rohit's maiden overseas century was a masterclass in patience and shot selection, playing a pivotal role in India's victory.

• 161 vs England, Chennai (2021): On a challenging pitch, his aggressive yet calculated innings set the tone for India's resurgence in the series.

• 120 vs Australia, Nagpur (2023): Leading from the front, Rohit's century on a spin-friendly surface showcased his adaptability and leadership.

Leadership and Legacy

Appointed as India's Test captain in 2022, Rohit led the team through a transitional phase, emphasizing team cohesion and strategic acumen. Under his leadership, India maintained a formidable home record and remained competitive abroad. His calm demeanor and tactical nous were instrumental in nurturing young talents and maintaining team morale.

Rohit's Test career, spanning 67 matches with 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, is a narrative of resilience and reinvention. His journey from a middle-order batsman to a successful opener and leader serves as an inspiration for adaptability and perseverance.

Virat Kohli: The Passionate Protagonist

Rise to Prominence

Virat Kohli's ascent in Test cricket was marked by an insatiable hunger for runs and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Making his debut in 2011, he quickly established himself as a mainstay in the Indian batting lineup. His aggressive approach and emphasis on fitness set new benchmarks, transforming the team's ethos.

Captaincy and Cultural Shift

Taking over the reins from MS Dhoni in 2014, Kohli instilled a culture of aggression and self-belief. Under his leadership, India achieved the No.1 Test ranking and secured a historic series win in Australia (2018–19), their first on Australian soil. His tenure as captain was characterized by a relentless pursuit of excellence and an emphasis on fast bowling, redefining India's approach to Test cricket.

Iconic Performances

• 141 vs Australia, Adelaide (2014): Leading from the front in his first Test as captain, Kohli's twin centuries exemplified his fearless approach.

• 254 vs South Africa, Pune (2019):* His career-best score was a testament to his ability to dominate bowling attacks with precision and patience.

• 123 vs Australia, Perth (2018): In challenging conditions, Kohli's century stood out for its technical brilliance and mental fortitude.

Enduring Impact

Kohli's Test career, comprising 123 matches with 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, is adorned with 30 centuries. Beyond the numbers, his legacy lies in the transformation he brought to Indian cricket's mindset. His emphasis on fitness, aggression, and a winning mentality has left an indelible mark on the team's culture.

A Dual Legacy: Inspiring Future Generations

The simultaneous retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket signifies the end of a golden chapter. Their contrasting styles—Rohit's elegant stroke play and Kohli's aggressive dominance—offered a comprehensive batting paradigm.

Their leadership transformed India's Test team into a global powerhouse, instilling belief and competitiveness. As mentors, their influence will continue to shape the next generation, ensuring that the values they championed endure.

As we bid farewell to these stalwarts in the longest format, their contributions will resonate beyond the boundary. Their careers remind us that cricket is not just a game of numbers but a tapestry woven with passion, perseverance, and pride.

Fare thee well, champions and thanks a lot, for so many golden memories. Jai Ho!