Sachin Tendulkar has offered a measured round-up of India’s just-completed 2-2 Test campaign in England, singling out Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal for particular praise.
Key points upfront
• India drew the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy after a tense final day.
• Siraj’s new-ball spells earned early wickets throughout, while Gill finished with 754 runs in his first series as captain.
• Rahul and Jaiswal both struck multiple hundreds; Rishabh Pant batted through injury.
• Tendulkar believes Siraj’s contribution “doesn’t get the credit he deserves”, while Gill’s footwork and composure stood out.
Siraj’s under-stated influence
Speaking on Reddit, Tendulkar called the seamer “unbelievable” and insisted Siraj “doesn’t get the credit he deserves”. The 31-year-old took 27 wickets at 23, often removing an opener inside his first three overs. In Tendulkar’s view, that early incision shaped every match: “He set the tone from ball one. England were constantly one down before they had settled.”
Quotes from bowling coach Paras Mhambrey back that view. “He attacks the stumps, keeps it simple, and that’s priceless in England,” Mhambrey said. No drama, just relentlessness.
Gill steps up as captain
Gill’s maiden series as Test skipper yielded three hundreds, a strike-rate near 70 and a calm field presence. Former batting coach Sanjay Bangar had already noted “signs of improvement”, and Tendulkar echoed that feeling.
“He was extremely consistent as far as his thought process was concerned because it reflects on your footwork,” Tendulkar said. “If you’re not clear in your head, your body doesn’t respond accordingly, and his body was responding brilliantly. He looked so much in control, he had so much time to play the ball.”
Gill’s front-foot defence, essential on fresh English pitches, also drew compliments. “The most important thing I noticed was the respect to a good ball… He was able to defend there and consistently defend well on the front foot. His front-foot defence was solid.”
Rahul’s judgement outside off
KL Rahul returned to the top order after injury worries and produced his most productive overseas Test series: two hundreds, three fifties and an average nudging 60. Tendulkar felt the adjustment was subtle yet significant.
“He was terrific, possibly one of the best I’ve seen him bat,” Tendulkar said. “The way he was defending close to the body… precise footwork.” England probed the fourth-stump corridor, but Rahul’s shoulders never chased.
Jaiswal’s flair, Pant’s grit
At 23, Yashasvi Jaiswal counter-attacked whenever the ball softened. Tendulkar thought the left-hander “was a treat to watch”, adding that his twin hundreds “showed a lot of character and maturity”. Jaiswal scored at 4.5 an over, giving India breathing space after inevitable new-ball wobbles.
Rishabh Pant’s numbers – 479 runs at 68.42, strike-rate 77.63 – came despite a fractured right foot in the final Test. He swept England’s spinners at will. Tendulkar analysed one trademark stroke: “The sweep shot that he played, he likes to get under the ball to scoop it with some elevation. People think he has fallen, but it is intentional so that he can get under the ball. The secret to play those shots is to be able to get under the ball. So it’s a planned fall, he doesn’t go off-balance. All that depends on the length of the ball.”
His attitude, Tendulkar added, is “god’s gift”. He also warned against shackling the wicketkeeper-batter: “There were occasions where people felt he doesn’t have to play that shot, it’s not the right time, but someone like Rishabh should be left alone. But when he’s looking to save a match, he has to have a different approach… he has figured out [how to approach an innings] depending on the match situation.”
A campaign of fine margins
India’s middle-order collapses, most notably at Lord’s, balanced out their batting highs. England’s own injury list – Ben Stokes missed the decider, Chris Woakes batted with a strapped thigh – levelled the scales. Ultimately, both camps accepted that 2-2 “felt fair”, as Joe Root put it.
Tendulkar prefers to focus on India’s evolution. “Results matter, but growth matters more,” he said. He sees Gill’s calmness, Siraj’s penetrative bursts and Rahul’s improved judgement as building blocks for the next World Test Championship cycle.
Looking ahead
India’s next red-ball challenge is a two-Test trip to New Zealand. Pitches will offer less lateral movement but more bounce, so Tendulkar believes Siraj’s short-ball variation will be crucial. Gill has already spoken of wanting a “more aggressive brand” in Wellington.
For now, the take-away is simple: a drawn series in England may feel like a missed chance, yet it featured telling strides from players both established and emerging. Balanced praise, rather than headlines, seems the appropriate response.
