Former England Cricketer In Awe Of India: 'Most Exciting Series Since 2005...'

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6 days ago

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India secured a thrilling 2-2 draw in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval as Monty Panesar praised the series as the best since 2005 Ashes.
After India secured a thrilling victory at The Oval, achieving a dramatic 2-2 draw in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, former England spinner Monty Panesar praised their determination and labelled the series as the most exciting Test contest since the iconic 2005 Ashes between England and Australia, considered the best in Ashes history.
Pacer Mohammed Siraj delivered an impressive five-wicket haul as India produced a sensational four-wicket burst on a tense final morning at The Oval to beat England by six runs and level the series.
'It's been a famous victory for India. They played brilliant, brilliant cricket. And yesterday, we kind of thought when Joe Root and Harry Brook were batting that this was out of their reach. But the conditions this morning obviously favoured India with the seam positions, and the key was that they didn't take the new ball. And with the old ball, Siraj was amazing, and Krishna, as well, got that length a bit fuller. And it's a famous victory, probably the most exciting series since 2005, between England and Australia," Panesar wasquoted as saying to IANS on Monday.
'And I think in the future, we will see more five-Test series between England and India. And the excitement, everything has been absolutely brilliant. And we talk about, well, you know, how good England and India were. I think India probably played the better cricket. But overall, it's been a brilliant, brilliant Test series between England and India,' he added.
Both teams entered Day 5 with victory within reach. Resuming from 339/6, England needed 35 runs to win while India required four wickets for a miraculous win. On the final day of this captivating Test series, Siraj continued his exceptional form from day four, taking 5-104 in 30.1 overs to secure a memorable victory for India.
Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, who took 4-126 in 27 overs, joined forces to ensure England lost their remaining four wickets for 28 runs, providing a fitting conclusion to the series with a bowling performance for the ages. This incredible win in the fifth Test is also India's narrowest victory in their history of playing Tests.
Siraj, who was the only pacer to play all matches of the series, received the Player of the Match award for his determined display in the deciding Test, in the absence of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.
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