England vs India: Key Discussion Points
In the recently concluded Test series between India and England, it was Mohammed Siraj who stole the limelight as the leading wicket-taker, taking 23 wickets over 5 matches.
Siraj's impressive bowling figures included 159.1 overs, 955 balls, with an average of 34.37. He had one five-wicket haul during the series, and his best performance came in the final Test at The Oval where he took a crucial five-wicket haul (5/104) that helped India clinch the narrowest-ever Test victory by 6 runs and level the series 2-2.
Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes were other notable bowlers in the series, with 19 and 17 wickets respectively. However, Siraj's consistent performances helped him lead the bowling charts overall.
On the batting front, Shubman Gill, India's captain, had a strong series with the bat. Gill mesmerized the crowd with his elegant batting style, characterized by classical techniques and the ability to accelerate when needed. His scores of 269 and 161 at Edgbaston were particularly noteworthy. Gill fell just short of overhauling Sunil Gavaskar's long-standing Indian record tally of 774 runs in a series, finishing with 754 runs, including four centuries.
England's bowling lacked penetration during the series, but Ben Stokes still demonstrated his ability to change a game in the blink of an eye. Stokes scored 141 runs in England's total of 669 in the drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford, playing a crucial role with the bat. As a bowler, Stokes took 17 wickets at an average of 25 and bowled 140 overs, a series record, demonstrating his value as a genuine all-rounder in the modern game.
Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace spearhead, was only scheduled to play three Tests and was left out of the final game. Despite Bumrah's absence, Siraj's performance ensured that India did not miss him at The Oval.
As Gill embarks on the job of leading India, a team that carries the hopes and dreams of 1.4 billion people, his performance in this series will undoubtedly give the team and the fans a lot to be optimistic about. England, on the other hand, is desperate to have Ben Stokes on the plane to Australia for the Ashes, which start in November.
References: [1] ESPNcricinfo. (2025). India vs England Test series 2025. Retrieved from https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-vs-england-in-england-2025-1275683/india-vs-england-5th-test-the-oval-1275708 [2] BBC Sport. (2025). Mohammed Siraj takes five wickets as India level series against England. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/61206624 [3] The Guardian. (2025). India win by six runs to level series against England. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/aug/22/india-beat-england-by-six-runs-to-level-series-at-the-oval
India's victory over England in the Test series was not only significant for the team, but also showcased the emergence of a talented young sportsman, Mohammed Siraj. Despite England's Ben Stokes demonstrating his all-round prowess, Siraj led the bowling charts with 23 wickets, setting a strong precedent for the future of Indian sports.
