Gill’s Remarkable Consistency and Respect for Quality Bowling

India’s captain, Shubman Gill, has been lauded by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar for his exceptional performance against England, where he amassed a record-breaking 754 runs. Although Gill narrowly missed surpassing Sunil Gavaskar’s record of 774 runs in a bilateral Test series, he did break Gavaskar’s record for the most runs by an Indian captain in a series, previously set at 732. Gill now ranks second only to Sir Don Bradman on the all-time captains’ chart with 810 runs. Tendulkar praised Gill’s calm and composed demeanor throughout the series, emphasizing his clear thought process and precise footwork. According to Tendulkar, Gill’s ability to respect “good balls” and defend effectively on the front foot was a standout feature of his batting.

Siraj’s Unwavering Attitude and Impactful Bowling

Mohammed Siraj also received high praise from Tendulkar for his role in India’s series-levelling victory at The Oval. Siraj claimed 23 wickets across the five matches, showcasing an “unbelievable” approach and consistent body language that impressed Tendulkar. The cricket icon highlighted Siraj’s ability to maintain the same attitude regardless of his performance on any given day, which is a quality that can unsettle opposing batsmen.

Team Discipline and Strategic Planning

Tendulkar noted that while India showed some lack of discipline during England’s strong partnership between Joe Root and Harry Brook on Day Four, they returned with renewed focus and energy on Day Five. He commended the team’s strategic planning and disciplined approach, particularly among the bowlers, which contributed to their success.

Pant’s Impactful Innings and Jadeja’s Underrated Contributions

Rishabh Pant was recognized for developing a habit of playing impactful innings. Tendulkar advised against judging Pant solely on his shot selection, suggesting that his understanding of the game should be trusted. Additionally, Ravindra Jadeja was described as an “underrated player” whose contributions often go unnoticed despite being significant.

Impressive Performances by Jaiswal and Rahul

Yashasvi Jaiswal impressed Tendulkar with his fearless mindset and strategic understanding of when to accelerate or play defensively. KL Rahul was also praised for his organized batting style, particularly his ability to frustrate bowlers by knowing when to defend or leave deliveries.