If you thought Test cricket was losing its spark, the recent England vs India showdown proved otherwise.
Every single Test stretched all five days, culminating in an edge-of-your-seat finish at the Oval that left fans buzzing.
India’s Mohammed Siraj’s last-day heroics snatched the narrowest-ever win for his country — especially impressive after England had to send out a one-handed Chris Woakes at the crease.
Let’s dive into who stood out and who didn’t in this rollercoaster of a series.
Most Predictable Performance: Ollie Pope Stayed True to Form
Ollie Pope kicked off this series with a Test average just over 35 and, well, he pretty much finished there.
He started strong with a century at Headingley but then faded, scoring just one more fifty in eight innings.
His struggles in the crucial fourth innings—where his average dropped to 16.7—highlighted a bigger problem for England, who often bat last.
Despite early hopes after a big score against Zimbabwe, Pope hasn’t quite made the leap England had hoped for.
Most Surprising Whinge: Shubman Gill’s Complaints Flew Under the Radar
Imagine if Ben Stokes had called out India for not respecting the spirit of the game — the uproar would have been massive.
But when it was Shubman Gill complaining after Zak Crawley tried to waste time in fading light, it barely caused a ripple.
It just goes to show, a fuss only gets attention when it’s English players making it.
Most Baffling Selection Decision: Kuldeep Yadav’s Omission
The pitches were slow and low, perfect for a bowler who could offer something a bit different.
Yet India kept Kuldeep Yadav, their left-arm wrist spinner, on the sidelines—possibly out of fear of a long batting tail.
Had he played earlier, especially at Old Trafford, India might have swung the series their way.
It’s a selection mystery that left fans scratching their heads.
Strangest Win/Loss Ratio: Jasprit Bumrah’s Curious Record
Bumrah was phenomenal in Australia this winter, taking 32 wickets and almost saving India from a clean sweep.
Yet, in this series, a strange pattern emerged: India never won when Bumrah played, but always won when he didn’t.
Still, his 14 wickets—including three dismissals of Chris Woakes—showed he was a constant threat.
Most Captivating Cricketer: Rishabh Pant Shone Bright
From his acrobatic somersault celebrations to fearless batting with a broken foot, Rishabh Pant grabbed attention every match.
Despite missing a game, his 17 sixes topped the series by five.
Whether it was his stylish cover drives or gritty resilience, Pant was the player everyone couldn’t stop watching.
Best Pantomime Villain: Mohammed Siraj’s Journey to Hero
Siraj’s road to becoming the series hero was anything but smooth. Early on, he was guilty of a fiery send-off that didn’t sit well, and he was last man out in a narrow defeat.
Then came the infamous boundary sponge incident with Harry Brook, which only intensified scrutiny.
But when it mattered most on the final morning, Siraj blew away three wickets and led India to a historic win, earning his place in cricket folklore.
Most Serene Batsmen: Shubman Gill and Joe Root’s Class Showed Through
Gill flirted with Don Bradman’s record for most runs in a series, while Root piled on centuries across multiple grounds.
Root’s 13 hundreds against India alone cemented his all-time great status, while Gill took a huge step up from promising talent to superstar.
KL Rahul also deserves a nod for the smoothest cover drive and a solid 532 runs at an impressive average.
Biggest Thorn in the Side: Ravindra Jadeja’s Persistent Impact
Jadeja was everywhere—celebrating milestones, swinging matches, and even starring in some off-field drama.
His six half-centuries set an India record in the series, and his quick temper and sharp cricket brain made him a constant thorn in England’s side.
Unlikeliest Walk-On Part: Surrey Groundsman Lee Fortis’s Key Role
In a rare spotlight moment, Lee Fortis, Surrey’s head groundsman, quietly shaped the series outcome with the best pitch of the lot.
Despite Indian coach Gautam Gambhir’s dismissive remarks, Fortis’s pitch offered pace and bounce that helped seamers thrive, including Siraj on that nail-biting final day.
Biggest Bazball Blow-Up: England’s Shot Selection Costs Them
England mostly behaved well, but their batting collapse at Edgbaston was a painful reminder they’re not infallible.
Jamie Smith’s dismissal while attempting a reckless third six epitomized the day’s chaos and gave Bazball critics plenty of fuel.
Most Thoughtless Gesture: Ben Stokes’s Draw Offer Backfires
When Stokes offered a draw at Old Trafford, he probably didn’t expect the backlash.
England’s post-draw sulk was awkward, but even worse were the gleeful headlines from abroad mocking the team.
England’s near-miraculous chase and series fight were judged harshly, proving that expectations for this team are sky-high and sometimes unfair.
Gutsiest Innings: Chris Woakes and Rishabh Pant Show True Test Spirit
Whether it was Pant’s gritty batting with a broken toe or Woakes bravely returning with his arm in a sling, both showed that Test cricket still matters deeply to the players.
Their courage reminded us why this game captures hearts across the world.