Sachin Tendulkar Lauds India’s Stars After Thrilling England Series Draw

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has praised several standout performers from India’s thrilling five-Test series against England, which ended 2-2 after a nail-biting finish in the final match at The Oval. Speaking after the conclusion of the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Tendulkar highlighted key contributions from Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant.

Siraj ‘Doesn’t Get the Credit He Deserves’

Tendulkar was full of praise for Mohammed Siraj, who finished as the series' leading wicket-taker with 23 wickets and played all five Tests, sending down a mammoth 1113 deliveries — 361 more than any other bowler.

“Unbelievable. Superb approach. I love his attitude. I love the spring in his legs,” Tendulkar said. “No batsman likes a fast bowler constantly in your face, and Siraj brings that intensity. To clock around 90mph on the final day after over 1000 balls in the series shows immense courage and heart.”

Tendulkar added, “He’s always been instrumental whenever India has needed a breakthrough. The way he performed in this series — especially in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence — proves he doesn’t get the credit he truly deserves.”

Gill’s Leadership and Rahul’s Composure Earn Praise

India captain Shubman Gill, who amassed 754 runs and led his side through a tightly contested series, also earned Tendulkar’s admiration for his “calm and composed” leadership and “solid front-foot defence.”

“He looked so much in control. The most important thing I noticed was how he respected good deliveries and defended on the front foot consistently. His thought process was clear, and that reflected in his precise footwork,” Tendulkar observed.

Tendulkar was equally impressed with KL Rahul, who scored 532 runs, including multiple centuries.

“He was terrific, possibly the best I’ve seen him bat,” he said. “His judgement around off stump, the way he left balls, the way he frustrated bowlers — it was top-class Test batting. He looked in that zone: calm, composed, and ready for any challenge.”

Pant’s Genius With the Bat

Tendulkar also highlighted Rishabh Pant’s extraordinary series, where the wicketkeeper-batter defied a fractured foot to notch two centuries and three fifties, averaging 68.42 with a strike rate of 77.63.

“People sometimes think he’s falling while playing shots, but that’s intentional. It’s how he gets under the ball. It’s a planned fall,” Tendulkar explained. “His strokeplay is a god’s gift. While there are moments where people feel he shouldn't go for certain shots, someone like Rishabh needs to be left alone to express himself.”

Tendulkar also praised Pant’s ability to adapt during crunch moments. “When he’s trying to save a match, he knows how to shift gears. He’s figured out how to read the situation and bat accordingly.”

Jaiswal ‘A Treat to Watch’

Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal also came in for glowing praise after finishing the series with 411 runs, including two centuries.

“I was impressed with Yashasvi’s mindset,” Tendulkar said. “He’s fearless but knows when to accelerate and when to absorb pressure. His hundred in the final Test came on a tough pitch, and the way he guided Akash Deep during their partnership was mature and selfless.”

Tendulkar emphasized the importance of building partnerships in Test cricket, adding, “A batter's job is not just to score runs but also to support teammates. Jaiswal did that brilliantly, and he was a treat to watch throughout the series.”

The fiercely contested series — named after two of the game’s greats, James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar — ended in dramatic fashion, with India clinching a six-run win in the final Test at The Oval. While the trophy was shared, the performances by India’s emerging stars underscored the team’s strength and depth in the longest format.