Sachin hails India’s grit in an epic Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy draw

Master Blaster praises Gill’s captaincy debut and Siraj’s relentless bowling in pulsating 2-2 series against England

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has delivered a comprehensive assessment of India’s remarkable performance in the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, praising the young team’s resilience and tactical maturity in what many are calling one of the greatest Test series of the century.

Speaking in a detailed analysis on Reddit, Tendulkar was effusive in his praise for debutant captain Shubman Gill, whose leadership guided India to a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Ben Stokes’ aggressive England side across five grueling matches.

Gill’s Captaincy Baptism by Fire

The 25-year-old Gill faced the ultimate test of leadership, stepping into the breach following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, while managing a depleted bowling attack that saw Jasprit Bumrah unavailable for two crucial matches and Mohammed Shami absent throughout.

“Captaincy has a lot to do with how the bowlers are bowling and how disciplined they are,” Tendulkar observed. “Sometimes when things don’t go their way, they start experimenting, and that’s when the captain feels the 11 players aren’t enough. Gill looked calm and composed throughout.”

The batting maestro was particularly impressed by Gill’s own performances with the bat, where the captain amassed a staggering 754 runs at an average of 75.4, including memorable knocks of 269 and 161 in the second Test.

“The most important thing I noticed was the respect for a good ball,” Tendulkar noted, highlighting Gill’s defensive technique. “Where the tendency sometimes is to push forward, he was able to defend solidly on the front foot. His shot selection was precise throughout.”

However, Tendulkar also offered tactical insight, suggesting India could have adopted a more conservative approach against England’s ‘Bazball’ philosophy. “When you play against England, you can afford to play boring cricket. If you try slowing things down, they will put their foot on the accelerator harder, which could work in the fielding side’s favor.”

Siraj’s Relentless Spirit

Perhaps no individual earned more praise from Tendulkar than Mohammed Siraj, who emerged as the series’ leading wicket-taker with 23 scalps at 32.43, bowling over 1,100 deliveries across five Tests.

“Unbelievable. Superb approach. I love his attitude and the spring in his steps,” Tendulkar enthused. “If you don’t look at the scoreboard and just see his body language, you won’t be able to tell if he’s taken five wickets or none at all.”

The Master Blaster drew a compelling comparison to illustrate Siraj’s intimidating presence: “If you ask Joe Root, who is a world-class batter, would he prefer facing Siraj or someone who bowls quietly, he’ll opt for the latter. Because Siraj is always in your face.”

Tendulkar was particularly impressed by Siraj’s stamina and heart, noting how the Hyderabad pacer was still clocking 90 mph on the final day despite his massive workload. “When a fast bowler bowls 1000-plus deliveries and still clocks 90 mph in the end stages, that shows how big a heart he has.”

The dramatic finale at The Oval, where Siraj’s yorker uprooted Gus Atkinson’s off-stump to secure a thrilling six-run victory, epitomized his series-long commitment. “He was remarkable on that last day. He has always been instrumental when we need that knockout punch.”

Pant’s Heroic Return

Tendulkar reserved special praise for vice-captain Rishabh Pant, whose return from a broken foot sustained at Old Trafford became one of the series’ defining narratives. Pant accumulated 479 runs at 68.42 with two centuries, including crucial contributions in the final two Tests.

“There’s no dull moment when Rishabh is in the middle,” Tendulkar smiled, particularly enjoying Pant’s innovative sweep shot technique. “People think he falls while playing the shot, but it’s intentional to get under the ball. The plan is to fall – it’s not being off-balance.”

The veteran termed Pant “a great team man” for his selfless return despite the injury, exemplifying the spirit that carried India through the series.

Defending Bumrah Against Critics

One of Tendulkar’s most pointed interventions came in defense of Jasprit Bumrah, who faced criticism for missing the second and fifth Tests. The master batsman dismissed suggestions that India performed better without their premier fast bowler as mere coincidence.

“I know people are discussing – jo Tests khela nahi, voh hum jeete (India won the Tests he didn’t play) and all that. To me that’s just a coincidence, to be honest,” Tendulkar stated firmly.

He emphasized that Bumrah’s absence was due to injury management rather than selective participation, praising his contributions in the three Tests he played. “Out of three Tests he played, he picked five wickets twice. The quality of Bumrah is exceptional – I would put him right at the top with anyone else.”

Unsung Heroes: Rahul and Jaiswal’s Contributions

While Gill and Siraj grabbed headlines, Tendulkar also acknowledged the crucial contributions of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, whose partnerships and individual performances proved vital throughout the series. The opening combination, despite facing one of the most challenging bowling attacks in world cricket, showed remarkable resilience and adaptability.

Rahul’s experience and Jaiswal’s fearless strokeplay complemented each other perfectly, providing India with solid starts that allowed the middle order to capitalize. Their ability to weather the initial storm against England’s pace attack, particularly in helpful conditions, set the foundation for many of India’s competitive totals.

A Series for the Ages

The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the first to bear Tendulkar’s name, lived up to its billing with all five matches extending to the final day and most going deep into the closing sessions. The 2-2 result reflected the quality and competitiveness that made this series a modern classic.

“All in all, a fantastic result,” Tendulkar concluded. “Things could’ve been different, but there are no ifs and buts in cricket. This was his first series as captain, possibly against the most attacking side in Test cricket.”

As India’s new generation steps up to fill the void left by retiring legends, Tendulkar’s analysis suggests the future remains bright. Under Gill’s composed leadership and with warriors like Siraj leading the charge, Indian cricket appears well-positioned for the challenges ahead.

The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy may have ended in a draw, but it has certainly set the stage for what promises to be an exciting new chapter in India’s Test cricket journey.