IND vs ENG Series: The recently concluded series between India and England was a stark reminder of what Test Cricket mean to players when they are, unapologetically, vying for a victory. Resilience was the word, which got redefined by players like Ben Stokes, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah and Chris Woakes in the series. All these players were put under pressure as they did something ‘spectacular’ in the series to keep it ‘alive’.
For starters, fans acknowledged Mohammed Siraj ‘efforts’ who bowled his ‘heart out’ like a ‘work-horse’ in all five Test matches of the series. Siraj, also took up the mantle of leading the bowling attack in the absence of Bumrah. His nine-wicket haul in the Oval Test, set it up for India as they drew the series 2-2.
In an exclusive conversation with The Daily Jagran, former India women’s team captain Anjum Chopra spoke extensively on Siraj’s exploits followed by workload management of talismanic pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
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“I think the very fact that we managed to draw the series win by winning the Oval test match itself stands out in so many ways because the manner in which the Indian players gave their performance was truly commendable. There was such breathtaking moments through the series that right till the last hour on the last day of the last test match, we didn’t know which side the series is going to go. A rollercoaster ride like this actually happens for the series for nearly almost 2 months, you know that emotions are running high. The bodies are tired. The mindset is under fatigue, yet, the ‘never give up’ kind of a spirit is keeping the players going competitively, and you know, it’s like none of them is backing out. When you are bowling your heart-out, performances like these will come out and that has exactly what happened with Siraj.”
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India Should Have Been 3-0 Up!
“I thought you know we should’ve actually been 3-0 up. We should’ve chased down the target (at Lord’s) earlier, rather than waiting for Siraj and Bumrah to bat. Yes, we have not won the series but the manner in which we drew the series. I think that is where it makes this entire series very close to our heart. You talk about 2-1 series win in Australia but this Test series has created a special place for itself. I think it’s heartening to see a younger look team of new captain going out there and achieving showing such great character which talks about Indian cricket.
Workload Management Just Not Jasprit Bumrah’s Decision
“It is not the players choice. It is not the players decision as well. One must understand how this actually works, so I might be close to being authentic or correct, but obviously I might not be hundred percent right. If the player is unfit or picks up an injury, they go back for a rehabilitation program to the centre of excellence or NCA Academy. They are treated by NCA doctors because they are playing for India 99% of the time. Even if they are not, they still go back to academy and get treated by the doctors or the physios were working there. Then they go through the rehab process followed by fitness tests. Adequate assessments are done once the player is declared fit by the medical staff and then the players get available for selection. So, it is not that the player is sitting in his drawing room and deciding whether I will play the series or not. It doesn’t work that way.”