Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has delivered his comprehensive verdict on India’s thrilling 2-2 series draw against England, with Mohammed Siraj earning the highest praise from the Master Blaster. In an exclusive analysis posted on Reddit, Tendulkar declared Siraj “unbelievable” while expressing concern that the fast bowler “doesn’t get the credit he deserves,” cementing the pacer’s status as India’s unsung hero in one of the most captivating Test series in recent memory.
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Tendulkar’s Ultimate Praise for Mohammed Siraj: “Unbelievable Approach”
Speaking about Mohammed Siraj’s exceptional performance throughout the five-Test series, Sachin Tendulkar was unequivocal in his praise: “Unbelievable. Superb approach. I love his attitude. I love the spring in his legs.”
The cricket icon highlighted Siraj’s remarkable consistency and mental fortitude, noting: “For a fast bowler to be constantly in your face like that, no batsman will like it. And the approach he had till the end on the last day, I could hear commentators also saying he bowled around 90mph (145kph) on the last day after having bowled more than 1000 deliveries in the series.”
Tendulkar’s most telling observation came when he emphasized Siraj’s underappreciation: “The way he started on the last day was remarkable and he has always been instrumental, playing a key role whenever we need him, whenever we want him to deliver that knockout punch, he’s been able to do that consistently in the past, and so was the case in this series. The way he picked all those wickets and performed, he doesn’t get the credit he deserves.”
Mohammed Siraj’s Series Statistics
| Category | Performance | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Tests Played | 5/5 | Only bowler to play all matches |
| Total Wickets | 23 | Series leading wicket-taker |
| Balls Bowled | 1,113 | 361 more than any other bowler |
| Average | 35.2 | Excellent in challenging conditions |
| Best Figures | 5/104 | Match-winning spell at The Oval |
Shubman Gill’s Captaincy Masterclass Earns Tendulkar’s Approval
Tendulkar was equally effusive about Shubman Gill’s leadership and batting prowess, describing his approach as exemplary. “He was extremely consistent as far as his thought process was concerned because it reflects on your footwork. If you’re not clear in your head, your body doesn’t respond accordingly, and his body was responding brilliantly.”
The batting legend was particularly impressed with Gill’s technical soundness: “He looked so much in control, he had so much time to play the ball. The most important thing I noticed was the respect to a good ball where the tendency sometimes is to push the ball on the front foot, even if it’s not close to your foot. He was able to defend there and consistently defend well on the front foot. His front-foot defence was solid.”
Gill’s record-breaking series saw him accumulate 754 runs, the second-highest tally by a captain in Test history, trailing only Don Bradman’s 810 runs in 1936. Tendulkar’s assessment of Gill’s captaincy was equally positive, noting how he remained “calm and composed” throughout the series.
India’s Leadership Transition Under Gill
| Aspect | Achievement | Tendulkar’s Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Batting Average | 75.4 | “Extremely consistent thought process” |
| Captaincy Style | Calm leadership | “Calm and composed throughout” |
| Record Broken | 754 runs as captain | Second-highest in Test history |
| Technical Aspect | Front-foot defense | “Solid and consistently well executed” |
| Series Result | 2-2 draw | “Perfect 10/10 performance” |
KL Rahul’s Transformation Impresses the Master
Tendulkar reserved special praise for KL Rahul’s batting transformation, calling it “possibly one of the best I’ve seen him bat.” The cricket icon was particularly impressed with Rahul’s discipline and shot selection.
“The way he was defending close to the body, he was leaving in a completely organised manner, he knew exactly where his off stump was and which balls to leave. I got the feeling sometimes he was able to frustrate the bowler, that where should they bowl to him if he’s letting so many balls go.”
Tendulkar explained how Rahul’s patience forced bowlers to adjust their strategies: “So he got the bowlers to come back to him, and when the ball was in striking range he played some magnificent shots. I thought he looked in that zone, calm and composed.”
Yashasvi Jaiswal: A “Treat to Watch” According to Tendulkar
The cricket legend was equally complimentary about Yashasvi Jaiswal’s fearless approach throughout the series. “I was impressed with Yashasvi’s mindset. He’s a fearless batsman and he knows when to accelerate, when to see through a phase, and when to go to the non-striker’s end.”
Tendulkar highlighted Jaiswal’s maturity and leadership qualities: “In the last Test he scored a magnificent hundred on a difficult track. He showed a lot of character, maturity and determination. The way he was guiding Akash Deep…a batter’s responsibility is not to score his own runs, it’s also how you build partnerships.”
His final assessment was emphatic: “All in all, a fantastic series for Yashasvi, a treat to watch.”
India’s Batting Heroes: Series Statistics
| Player | Runs | Average | Centuries | Highest Score | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | 754 | 75.4 | 4 | 269 | Record-breaking captaincy |
| KL Rahul | 532 | 48.4 | 2 | 123 | Disciplined technique |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 411 | 41.1 | 2 | 104 | Fearless batting |
| Rishabh Pant | 478 | 68.4 | 2 | 146 | Batting with injury |
Rishabh Pant’s Unique Technique Analyzed by Tendulkar
Tendulkar provided fascinating insights into Rishabh Pant’s unorthodox batting style, particularly his sweep shots. “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.”
While acknowledging Pant’s unique gifts, Tendulkar emphasized the need for situational awareness: “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, like in the last 15-20 overs of a match.”
The Perfect Rating: Tendulkar’s Series Assessment
Following India’s dramatic six-run victory at The Oval that secured a 2-2 series draw, Tendulkar rated the team’s performance a perfect 10. “Series 2–2, Performance 10/10! SUPERMEN from INDIA! What a win,” the former India captain wrote on social media platform X.
The master batsman was particularly effusive about the quality of cricket on display: “Test cricket…absolute goosebumps,” perfectly capturing the emotions of fans worldwide who witnessed one of the greatest Test series in recent memory.
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy: A Fitting Legacy
The inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, named after two legends of the game, lived up to its prestigious billing with both teams sharing the honors after an epic 2-2 draw. The series featured numerous records, dramatic finishes, and individual brilliance that will be remembered for years to come.
For Tendulkar, seeing young Indian talents like Siraj, Gill, Rahul, and Jaiswal rise to the occasion against one of cricket’s most challenging teams must have been particularly satisfying, representing the bright future of Indian cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar’s comprehensive analysis of India’s performance in the England series provides valuable insights from cricket’s greatest batsman. His praise for Mohammed Siraj’s underappreciated excellence, Shubman Gill’s composed leadership, KL Rahul’s technical mastery, and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s fearless approach highlights the depth of talent in Indian cricket. As these young stars continue to develop under pressure, Tendulkar’s endorsement serves as both validation of their current abilities and encouragement for future challenges. The Master Blaster’s perfect 10 rating for the series performance suggests that Indian cricket’s transition into a new era is in capable hands.
FAQs
What did Sachin Tendulkar say about Mohammed Siraj’s performance in the England series?
Tendulkar called Siraj “unbelievable” and praised his attitude, stating that “he doesn’t get the credit he deserves” despite consistently delivering knockout punches for India when needed most.
How did Tendulkar assess Shubman Gill’s captaincy and batting?
Tendulkar praised Gill for being “calm and composed” as captain and highlighted his “solid front-foot defence” and consistent thought process, noting his excellent footwork and respect for good bowling.
What specific aspects of KL Rahul’s batting impressed Tendulkar?
Tendulkar called it “possibly one of the best I’ve seen him bat,” praising Rahul’s organized leaving, precise knowledge of his off-stump, and ability to frustrate bowlers before playing magnificent shots.
Why did Tendulkar call Yashasvi Jaiswal “a treat to watch”?
Tendulkar was impressed with Jaiswal’s fearless mindset, maturity, and character, particularly his ability to guide partners like Akash Deep and build crucial partnerships under pressure.
What rating did Tendulkar give to India’s overall series performance?
Tendulkar rated India’s performance a perfect 10/10 despite the 2-2 series draw, calling them “SUPERMEN from INDIA” and describing the cricket as giving him “absolute goosebumps.”
