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NDTV
3 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
"Brisbane Win Bigger For India Than Oval": Ex-Selector Saba Karim Makes Big Remark
Team India's English summer was nothing short of magical. A young team that was not expected to do wonders in the absence of some of the greats of Test cricket excelled, squaring the series. But this certainly isn't the first time a young Indian team has risen on a grand stage. It happened in Brisbane too in 2021. Saba Karim, formert India international and a commentator, now pins down to Brisbane as the greatest moment still. When the wicket of Gus Atkinson fell on the final day of the Oval test, it was joy and celebrations for the Men in Blue. This, a young India team, underwent rapid transformation. Few had experienced the joy of Brisbane like they had in Oval. Experts like Saba Karim, who was behind the microphone in both series, pins down Brisbane as a moment of biggest achievement for Team India than Oval. He tells NDTV's Tea Toast and Sports podcast, 'Brisbane was bigger. It had never ever happened before in Australia and that also with a very young side, with most of the regulars injured on the sidelines. For India to script that kind of a win was unbelievable. And generally, I think that's how you see a growth of a side- when you're able to do well and win matches, even when one or two of your regular players are not available." "Even in this Test match, for that matter, we didn't have Jasprit Bumrah, we didn't have Rishabh Pant, still we went out and won the last Test match.' Saba adds, 'If you draw comparisons, let me talk about the Australia draw first. Australian draw was more difficult because the conditions were more variable and then you're against a top quality bowling attack. It was so good to see the batting display, that kind of zeal, that kind of rear guard action. England was different because one had to battle for a longer duration of time to script a draw and I think.' A five test series leaves battered bodies, tired souls, brings out big heroes. Like every good drama has villains too. The 2-2 series scoreline is a lot closer than what it really looks like. India won 33 of the 73 sessions, the top order delivered tons of runs. However Saba Karim says on NDTV's Tea Toast and Sports that more could have been achieved, 'In the end, I am sure that there is a strong feeling in the Indian side that they could have won the Test series. Because the number of sessions India won in the entire series is higher than what England could achieve. What England was able to do is that win those important or those critical sessions. And I think the turnaround from England's perspective was more than the Indian side. And I think that is why we were able to draw the series.' Despite letting go of critical moments, this has turned out to be one of the most bingable series and fans will continue to reach out for the footage for all the excitement, action and drama.
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
England's Woakes 'gutted' he could not win single-handedly at Oval
All-rounder Chris Woakes is still processing the shock after England fell agonisingly short of a "fairytale" series victory despite his remarkable act of bravery in the fifth and final Test against India. India levelled the five-Test series 2-2 on Monday after prevailing in the cliffhanger at The Oval by six runs amid high drama in a fitting finale to an all-time classic series. Woakes, who dislocated his shoulder while fielding, himself provided some of the drama when he came out to bat with one arm in sling to try to get England across the line. "I'm still gutted, devastated really, that we couldn't get the fairytale," the 36-year-old told the Guardian newspaper. "But I never considered not going out there, even if it had been 100 runs still to win or whatever. "It was nice to have the ovation and some of the Indian players came over to show their respect. But any other player would have done the same." Woakes looked in pain when running, but did not have to face a ball as Gus Atkinson was bowled by India's Mohammed Siraj at the other end. "It's not just you that you're playing for out there," Woakes said. "It's your team and your teammates, all the hard work and the sacrifices they put in, the people watching at home and in the ground. You just feel a duty to do it for everyone." He hurt his shoulder on the opening day of the see-saw test when he landed awkwardly trying to save a boundary, but said he has no regrets. "We chase down every run," Woakes said. "That has always been the way. As a bowler, you really respect guys trying to save every run. It means a lot to you. So you kind of do the same for the team. And a tight game like that one – just six runs the difference – kinda shows how they all add up."
Arab News
4 days ago
- Sport
- Arab News
Emotions engulf Oval as England, India play out classic
The sight of Chris Woakes emerging from the dressing room to walk gingerly down the stairs to the field of play at The Oval was one of pathos. He is not normally England's No. 11 batter but, this time, injury dictated his position. Having fallen awkwardly and painfully on the third day in a valiant attempt to prevent a boundary being scored, he suffered a dislocated shoulder which prevented him from taking any further part in the match — until that moment, the last throw of the dice. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport My vantage point at the top of the pavilion allowed me to watch England's supporters rise to applaud his courage, their emotions raised by the fact that there was hope that their team might still win. Another 17 runs were required. In truth, Woakes cut a sad figure. His left shoulder had been heavily strapped across his chest in a sling underneath his pullover. His bat was held limply in his right hand. Surely it was inconceivable that he would have to or should be allowed to face a single delivery. So began a game of cat and mouse, the final sub-plot in a match packed full of them. Woakes joined Gus Atkinson, who was eight not out and on strike. They had a long conversation. Shubman Gill, India's inexperienced captain, directed his fielders with authority. They were sent deep to the boundary to persuade Atkinson to take a single. This was something he was unlikely to do, unless it was the last ball of the over. Instead, he needed to score in twos, fours or sixes, much easier to say than do. However, off the second ball of the 83rd over, he struck the ball toward the boundary, straight to a fielder, who was not standing on the boundary's edge. Straining backwards, the ball passed through his hands and over the boundary for six runs, eliciting wild cheers from England supporters and groans from the Indians. Atkinson swiped at the next three deliveries but failed to score. In order to keep the strike, he needed to take a single off the over's final delivery. Gill brought in the fielders to try and stop that happening. Atkinson missed the ball, which went through to the wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel. Woakes was already on his way to striker's end, running as best he could. Jurel rolled the ball towards the stumps, but the ball missed them and Woakes was home, to the delirium of English supporters and questioning looks from Indian fielders. Ten runs were needed at the beginning of the 84th over. Atkinson managed two from the first ball, missed the next four and hit the sixth one for one, the field having been left deep, presumably for fear that Atkinson might score a boundary. Woakes grimaced in pain with each step that he had to make. The tension had now reached fever pitch. England needed seven runs to win, the field set deep to protect the boundary, which Atkinson needed to breach. This he tried to do off the first ball of Mohammed Siraj's over, but missed and was bowled to begin India's victory party. It was the narrowest-ever victory for India in a Test match and had been snatched from the jaws of defeat. At 3:39 on the fourth day England had reached 301 for three wickets, largely thanks to a 194-run partnership between Joe Root and Harry Brook. Root delivered a masterclass in how to bat, a model for anyone watching live or on screen. Brook is supremely talented and, with Root, was winning the match for England. He had reached a century but, instead of reining in to guide his team to victory with another 73 runs required, he chose to go on the rampage; as if to say to India, I am going to crush you. He seems to have a self-destructive streak and here it came to the fore. In another attempt to smash a boundary, he succeeded only in skying the ball, to be caught, while losing control of his bat, which also went skywards. This action is very much in the image of the English team's philosophy of playing aggressive cricket at all times, of taking the attack to the opposition. This has provided entertaining, even reckless, cricket. Brook's failed gamble opened the door for India, whose body language suggested that they had begun to wilt. Visibly buoyed, they wrested the advantage away from England. False shots by Jacob Bethel and, of all people, Root caused English hopes to falter. In addition to the emotions generated by the passages of play, Root, on reaching his century, removed his helmet and pointed to the sky. This was in reference to Graham Thorpe, one of his mentors and coaches, whose life ended a year ago in a tragic manner. Funds had been raised during the match for a mental health awareness charity. Donors received a replica of the headband characteristically worn by Thorpe. Root's dismissal rendered England 337 for six. Shortly afterwards, deteriorating light and then rain caused the umpires to halt play. A lack of improvement in the conditions led to play being ended for the day. Cricket does have the capacity to infuriate with what appear to be overcautious delays to play by officials. On this occasion, given the tantalizing balance of the match, England needing 35 runs for victory and India four wickets, it seemed the right outcome. Who knows what the outcome would have been if play had been able to continue, compared with the drama which unfolded the following morning. By common accord, this Test match and, probably, the whole series will be placed in the category of best ever. It went to the fifth day in all five Tests, the first time since 2014, and it may be seen on a par with the famous fifth Test against Australia in 2005. Although the series was drawn 2-2, many non-English and, more than likely, most Indian observers and supporters regard India as the winners. A part of this judgment stems from the view that England tried to occupy the moral high ground in matters relating to 'the spirit of cricket.' This was especially the case at Manchester where the English players belittled the Indians for refusing to accept the offer of a draw, so that two batters could complete centuries. Certainly there has been acrimony in the heat of fierce contests. Players have pushed the laws and conditions of play to the limits. Their bodies have also been pushed to the limits. This is largely a function of cramming five Tests into the space of just over five weeks, as was also the case in 2024. The decision to do so is to enable the England and Wales Cricket Board to allocate the whole of August to The Hundred. It is little wonder that, already, several England players have withdrawn on fitness grounds. There seems little chance that the schedules will be relaxed in the immediate future. In turn this has served to reignite the issue of injury substitutes in Test cricket. It is a polarizing issue with layers of complexity. England's captain is dead set against the idea. It would be interesting to know how many people who agree with him may have wavered in their opinion when they witnessed Woakes taking the field in pain and discomfort, ultimately in a failed cause.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
I ‘never considered' not attempting to bat with my arm in a sling
Chris Woakes admitted he 'never considered' not attempting to bat with one arm in a sling as England sought victory in the fifth Test against India. England required 17 runs for victory at the Oval when the 36-year-old stepped out at number 11 to partner Gus Atkinson, suffering from a suspected dislocated shoulder sustained in trying to prevent a boundary on day one. He was not made to face a ball but was required to run four times before Atkinson was bowled by Mohammed Siraj as India edged a dramatic finale by six runs to level the series at 2-2. 'I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I didn't try,' Woakes told The Guardian. 'I'm still gutted, devastated really, that we couldn't get the fairytale. But I never considered not going out there, even if it had been 100 runs still to win or whatever. 'But any other player would have done the same. You couldn't just call it off at nine wickets down.' Woakes had initially found his usual right-hand stance too painful following the injury when practising in nets, instead opting to attempt to bat left-handed, putting his healthy right arm at the top of the handle. 'I defended one normally (right-handed) and it was agony,' he said. 'We soon worked out that a left-hander's stance would shield the shoulder and at least allow me to sort of block with my top hand in control. I hit a few, missed a few, but it felt like the only way to survive.' Coach Brendon McCullum had initially ruled him out of the remainder of the match ahead of day two, but by the fourth day and with England requiring 374 to win, Woakes was photographed wearing his whites ready to bat. He emerged to a standing ovation after Josh Tongue was bowled with England 17 adrift, despite some security staff appearing to believe the match was over. 'You just know you're part of something bigger,' he said. 'It's not just you that you're playing for out there, it's your team and your team-mates. All the hard work and the sacrifices they put in, the people watching at home and in the ground – you just feel a duty to do it for everyone. 'The first (run) was the worst. All I had taken was codeine and it was just so sore. Instinct took over here, even with my arm strapped down I tried to run as you naturally do. 'I genuinely worried my shoulder had popped back out again.'
The Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
I ‘never considered' not attempting to bat with my arm in a sling
Chris Woakes admitted he 'never considered' not attempting to bat with one arm in a sling as England sought victory in the fifth Test against India. England required 17 runs for victory at the Oval when the 36-year-old stepped out at number 11 to partner Gus Atkinson, suffering from a suspected dislocated shoulder sustained in trying to prevent a boundary on day one. He was not made to face a ball but was required to run four times before Atkinson was bowled by Mohammed Siraj as India edged a dramatic finale by six runs to level the series at 2-2. 'I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I didn't try,' Woakes told The Guardian. 'I'm still gutted, devastated really, that we couldn't get the fairytale. But I never considered not going out there, even if it had been 100 runs still to win or whatever. 'But any other player would have done the same. You couldn't just call it off at nine wickets down.' Woakes had initially found his usual right-hand stance too painful following the injury when practising in nets, instead opting to attempt to bat left-handed, putting his healthy right arm at the top of the handle. 'I defended one normally (right-handed) and it was agony,' he said. 'We soon worked out that a left-hander's stance would shield the shoulder and at least allow me to sort of block with my top hand in control. I hit a few, missed a few, but it felt like the only way to survive.' Coach Brendon McCullum had initially ruled him out of the remainder of the match ahead of day two, but by the fourth day and with England requiring 374 to win, Woakes was photographed wearing his whites ready to bat. He emerged to a standing ovation after Josh Tongue was bowled with England 17 adrift, despite some security staff appearing to believe the match was over. 'You just know you're part of something bigger,' he said. 'It's not just you that you're playing for out there, it's your team and your team-mates. All the hard work and the sacrifices they put in, the people watching at home and in the ground – you just feel a duty to do it for everyone. 'The first (run) was the worst. All I had taken was codeine and it was just so sore. Instinct took over here, even with my arm strapped down I tried to run as you naturally do. 'I genuinely worried my shoulder had popped back out again.'
