Giants exit, heirs rise: India's NextGen batting stars hold the fort in England
At Old Trafford, Rahul (532 runs) joined the prolific first-time captain Gill (754 runs) in the elite club. At The Oval, Jadeja capped off his finest Test series with another half-century, adding to his Manchester hundred, to make it three Indians past the landmark. The baton was not merely passed — it was grabbed with both hands.THE RISE OF CAPTAIN SHUBMAN GILLOn the path to greatness The Shubman Gill era is well and truly underway #SonySportsNetwork #GroundTumharaJeetHamari #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia #ExtraaaInnings pic.twitter.com/MOxje1Mvxk— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 2, 2025The pressure on Shubman Gill before the series was immense. New captain. No Kohli. No Rohit. No margin for error. There were whispers — was he just a flat-track bully? Could he handle the moving Dukes ball? Was he too young to lead?By the time the dust settled at The Oval, those whispers had been replaced by standing ovations.Gill finished as the highest run-getter of the series — 754 runs in 10 innings at an average of 75.40, including four centuries. His double hundred and ton in the same match at Edgbaston added up to 430 runs — a single-match tally that would place him seventh on the all-time series chart by itself. His 269 remains a new personal best, achieved just weeks after bettering his previous top score.He became the first Asian batter to score over 700 runs in a SENA series, surpassing even Kohli's 692 in Australia (2014-15). Gill was, quite literally, India's heartbeat — aggressive when needed, patient when it mattered, and flawless in big moments.Gill, who was picked for the honour by England head coach Brendon McCullum, said he was happy he was able to achieve the target he had set himself-to be the best batter in the series. 'The Prince took gentle strides towards being a King,' said one commentator. For Gill, it was a series that silenced the doubters — as captain, as batter, and as a leader.KL RAHUL: THE NEW TORCHBEARERadvertisementIf Gill was the glowing centrepiece, KL Rahul was the unshakable pillar around him.With no musical chairs to worry about — no middle-order stints or wicketkeeping duties — Rahul returned as India's senior-most batter and nailed his role as Test opener. He scored 532 runs at 53.20, with two centuries and two fifties, often laying the foundation for India's big totals.KL Rahul crafts a classy ton in testing conditions #SonySportsNetwork #GroundTumharaJeetHamari #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/b5TpQnjqgj— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) June 23, 2025More than the numbers, it was the context of those runs that mattered. Rahul's innings came in moments of crisis — when collapses loomed, when England's pacers had their tails up. He was technically sound, mentally tuned, and tactically spot-on. In many ways, this was Rahul's redemption arc — from injury-plagued and underused to irreplaceable.RAVINDRA JADEJA: THE RELIABLE WARHORSE Jadeja has long been India's most complete cricketer. But in this series, he morphed into something greater — a batter of steel, class, and unmatched purpose.advertisementHis series tally breached the 500-run mark on the back of five half-centuries and a match-saving century in Manchester. His second-innings scores — 25, 69, 61, 107*, and 56 — were a masterclass in adaptation and resilience. He wasn't just making runs; he was anchoring a still-maturing line-up and, at times, marshalling the tail with calm authority.Another 50 for the Rockstar Ravindra Jadeja just can't stop scoring in England #SonySportsNetwork #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia #ExtraaaInnings pic.twitter.com/1mPZwOGroS— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 2, 2025Nearly half his runs came in boundaries, yet he struck at a composed 55.06 — proof of a batter who could rotate strike and dictate tempo. With the ball, Jadeja remained tireless, offering breakthroughs and control when needed. If this was Gill's coming-of-age series, it was Jadeja's defining statement of longevity and leadership.YASHASVI JAISWAL: HIGHS, LOWS, AND A FINAL HURRAHJaiswal's maiden series in England was a study in contrasts. A fluent century in Leeds and another in the final Test at The Oval bookmarked a campaign that saw him scratch through six lean innings in between — scoring just 101 runs.But when it mattered most, the 23-year-old southpaw rose to the occasion.Who needs a map when you've got Jaiswal finding every corner? #SonySportsNetwork #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia #ExtraaaInnings | @ybj_19 pic.twitter.com/S5On27SdV8— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 1, 2025advertisementHis hundred in the final Test proved vital as India edged out a six-run win to draw the series. Jaiswal's overall tally stood at 411 runs, with two centuries and two fifties. It wasn't the most consistent series, but it was enough to show he belonged — and that he had the mental fortitude to bounce back.RISHABH PANT: THE X FACTORRishabh Pant's return to red-ball cricket after injury was nothing short of electrifying. Two centuries in the first Test alone — 134 and 118 — followed by fifties in the next three matches, made up his 479-run haul at a stellar average of 68.42.He became only the second wicketkeeper in Test history to score centuries in both innings of a match — and the first Indian to do so in England. Pant wasn't just batting — he was dictating terms to the bowlers, scooping pacers, clearing infields, and forcing captains into defensive fields.You can wound the body, not the spirit Rishabh Pant is built different! #SonySportsNetwork #GroundTumharaJeetHamari #ENGvIND #TeamIndia #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #ExtraaaInnings pic.twitter.com/B0XUmvRwHE— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 24, 2025advertisementHe brought unpredictability and flair to a line-up rooted in grit. In a series of fine margins, Pant's audacity often tipped the scales.WASHINGTON SUNDAR: INDIA's NEW ALL-ROUNDERWashington Sundar's contributions may have flown under the radar, but they were far from forgettable.Brought into the XI for the second Test to bolster the lower-middle order, Sundar immediately justified his inclusion. A composed 42 in the first innings and a patient 12 in the second helped India secure a memorable win. But it was in Manchester that he truly announced himself — scoring his maiden Test century and remaining unbeaten on 101, in a 203-run rescue stand with Jadeja to save the match and keep the series alive.Saturday evening sparkle, courtesy of Washington Sundar #SonySportsNetwork #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia #ExtraaaInnings | @Sundarwashi5 pic.twitter.com/F3ZkannDwZ— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 2, 2025In the final Test, with India teetering, Sundar unleashed a counterattack. His 53 off 46 balls — peppered with four boundaries and four sixes — stretched India's lead to 357. That ultimately proved to be just enough to secure a thrilling win by six runs.His knock, as one teammate said, was 'one six away from losing the Test — and possibly the series.'RECORD BOOKS SMASHEDIndia's batters turned heads and turned records on their head during the five-Test series in England, piling up a mammoth 3809 runs — the most by India in any Test series. It shattered their long-standing record of 3270 runs from the 1978–79 West Indies series at home and comfortably eclipsed their recent tallies against England in 2016 and 2024. The numbers alone told a story of dominance, but the style was just as emphatic: 470 boundaries — 422 fours and 48 sixes — breaking a 61-year-old record and reflecting a team brimming with intent and belief.Only one team in Test history has scored more runs away from home — Australia in the 1989 Ashes, with 3877. For a young Indian side to come within touching distance of that mark, in English conditions, against a seasoned bowling attack, was no small feat. It was a loud, clear statement of their maturity and ambition.The consistency was relentless. India notched up 28 scores of fifty or more, the most by any team in a single Test series. Everyone chipped in. This wasn't a one-man show — it was a chorus, each voice in tune.And then came the partnerships — 10 stands of 150-plus. Time and again, India built from scratch, wore the bowlers down, and pushed England to the edge. These weren't just statistics; they were acts of defiance, stitched together by grit and game sense. It was batting at its most purposeful — and most powerful.A NEW ERA, A NEW LEGACYThere was no Kohli. No Rohit. But there was no shortage of steel either.India found new heroes in Gill, Rahul, Jadeja, Pant, Jaiswal and Sundar — each contributing in moments that mattered most. They stitched together partnerships, weathered hostile spells, and created a new blueprint for success overseas.The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy ended 2-2. But India took home something far more significant than a shared result. They discovered a new batting core — assured, fearless, and built for the long haul.This wasn't survival. This was transformation.Gill brought authority, Rahul brought grace, Jadeja stood firm, Pant lit sparks, Jaiswal showed his promise, and Sundar embodied calm under fire. They didn't step in to replace Kohli or Rohit — they stepped up to carve their own legacy.And in England — a place where many fine players have stumbled — India found its next batting heart. Ready. Resilient. Relentless.- EndsMust Watch
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The Hindu
13 minutes ago
- The Hindu
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Economic Times
17 minutes ago
- Economic Times
A young Indian team travelled to England light but returned heavy with wins, lessons & a captain for the future
The irony is palpable. When India embarked on their tour of England without Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin — three of their modern giants — with the news that Jasprit Bumrah would play only three of the five Tests and with Shubman Gill leading the Test team for the first time, expectations were suitably lowered. When a team is in transition — and it is fair to say that, save for Mohammad Siraj, the fastbowling unit lacked experience — a steep learning curve is to be expected. Add to the mix B Sai Sudarshan, Karun Nair, Washington Sundar and Dhruv Jurel, who had little to no Test experience, and a five-Test series away in England quickly became a daunting assignment. So much so that an advert did the rounds to catch the eye: 'Team India seekhne nahi, sikhane jaa rahi hai.' And so it panned out. This team was not there to learn, but to school the sceptics on what was about Gill the captain, of whom little was known beyond his white-ball exploits, there were enough questions around Gill the batsman. After all, an average in the low 30s was not something he could be proud of after being given the run he had. The talent and ability were clearly there, and the selectors were sitting on Gill for the long haul. Gill delivered in style. For some players, added responsibility comes with an opportunity to be themselves, to express themselves more fully. As Gill scored his (and the team's) runs, he ensured that he had the authority he needed to get the most out of his band of men. Tactically, Gill was far from perfect. There were times when he let the game drift, and his tendency to rely heavily on the quick bowlers, conditions notwithstanding, meant that the class of Ravindra Jadeja sometimes went underutilised with the ball. Gill was neither Kohli-aggressive nor Rohit-relaxed. He was his own man, being different things at different times. It's early days, but on the evidence so far, India won't be looking for another all-format captain for a very long time to home, Jadeja has been the answer to all of India's balance questions. He runs through opposition batting when there is assistance, can keep one end bottled up if his captain needs control, and contribute properly with the bat lower down the order. But, overseas, there was the nagging feeling that his bowling could be blunted by conditions and his batting wouldn't stand up consistently enough. With a hundred and five half-centuries, Jadeja laid to rest any doubts about his place in the scheme of things. He may be getting along in years, but he has never been more valuable to the Test set-up than there are selections that buck conventional wisdom, the question of who had the final say arises. Gautam Gambhir, the coach, is a strong-willed character, and while it did appear as though Gill was given a free hand on the field, there was the suggestion that Gambhir imposed himself on the selection of the playing eleven. Had the result gone another way, on the back of a string of losses, these doubts would've grown louder. But, with India winning two Tests by picking teams that seemed to defy both playing to strengths or an all-out push for 20 wickets, it became clear that the coach's belief in his squad's depth and ability to compete at the highest level was spot on. Gambhir will know that it won't always be so. And fans will still be left asking how India went five Tests without giving Kuldeep Yadav a look there was one chink that was woefully exposed in England, it was the challenge that has dogged India for the longest time. With Nitish Kumar Reddy injured, there was no other batsman capable of contributing 12- 15 overs of seam up in an innings. India have backups for most roles, but when it comes to seamers who can bat, or batsmen who can allow the primary fast bowlers a breather, the cupboard is as bare as ever. This meant bolstering the lower order with Shardul Thakur, something that did not pay off even on paper, given how little he was used with the ball. Going forward, Gill, with help from the coaching staff, will have to identify either a player or two who can fit the bill, or three different combinations that allow them to stay in the hunt for 20 wickets without leaving the tail an exceptionally long one
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
A young Indian team travelled to England light but returned heavy with wins, lessons & a captain for the future
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Gill Era Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Arise Sir Jadeja Questions and Answers Keeping the faith The irony is palpable. When India embarked on their tour of England without Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin — three of their modern giants — with the news that Jasprit Bumrah would play only three of the five Tests and with Shubman Gill leading the Test team for the first time, expectations were suitably a team is in transition — and it is fair to say that, save for Mohammad Siraj , the fastbowling unit lacked experience — a steep learning curve is to be expected. Add to the mix B Sai Sudarshan, Karun Nair, Washington Sundar and Dhruv Jurel, who had little to no Test experience, and a five-Test series away in England quickly became a daunting much so that an advert did the rounds to catch the eye: 'Team India seekhne nahi, sikhane jaa rahi hai.' And so it panned out. This team was not there to learn, but to school the sceptics on what was about Gill the captain, of whom little was known beyond his white-ball exploits, there were enough questions around Gill the batsman. After all, an average in the low 30s was not something he could be proud of after being given the run he had. The talent and ability were clearly there, and the selectors were sitting on Gill for the long delivered in style. For some players, added responsibility comes with an opportunity to be themselves, to express themselves more fully. As Gill scored his (and the team's) runs, he ensured that he had the authority he needed to get the most out of his band of Gill was far from perfect. There were times when he let the game drift, and his tendency to rely heavily on the quick bowlers, conditions notwithstanding, meant that the class of Ravindra Jadeja sometimes went underutilised with the ball. Gill was neither Kohli-aggressive nor Rohit-relaxed. He was his own man, being different things at different times. It's early days, but on the evidence so far, India won't be looking for another all-format captain for a very long time to home, Jadeja has been the answer to all of India's balance questions. He runs through opposition batting when there is assistance, can keep one end bottled up if his captain needs control, and contribute properly with the bat lower down the overseas, there was the nagging feeling that his bowling could be blunted by conditions and his batting wouldn't stand up consistently enough. With a hundred and five half-centuries, Jadeja laid to rest any doubts about his place in the scheme of things. He may be getting along in years, but he has never been more valuable to the Test set-up than there are selections that buck conventional wisdom, the question of who had the final say arises. Gautam Gambhir, the coach, is a strong-willed character, and while it did appear as though Gill was given a free hand on the field, there was the suggestion that Gambhir imposed himself on the selection of the playing the result gone another way, on the back of a string of losses, these doubts would've grown louder. But, with India winning two Tests by picking teams that seemed to defy both playing to strengths or an all-out push for 20 wickets, it became clear that the coach's belief in his squad's depth and ability to compete at the highest level was spot on. Gambhir will know that it won't always be so. And fans will still be left asking how India went five Tests without giving Kuldeep Yadav a look there was one chink that was woefully exposed in England, it was the challenge that has dogged India for the longest time. With Nitish Kumar Reddy injured, there was no other batsman capable of contributing 12- 15 overs of seam up in an innings. India have backups for most roles, but when it comes to seamers who can bat, or batsmen who can allow the primary fast bowlers a breather, the cupboard is as bare as meant bolstering the lower order with Shardul Thakur, something that did not pay off even on paper, given how little he was used with the ball. Going forward, Gill, with help from the coaching staff, will have to identify either a player or two who can fit the bill, or three different combinations that allow them to stay in the hunt for 20 wickets without leaving the tail an exceptionally long one
