Former Australia captain Greg Chappell believes that India’s epic victory at The Oval in the fifth and final Test against England has not only changed the tide of the Indian cricket team but at the same time marked the beginning of a golden era in Indian cricket.
Drawing parallels to Australia’s own cricketing history, Chappell added that this result could spark a transformation in India’s cricketing dominance.
“To level the series 2-2 after being 2-1 down, against the odds, at one of England’s most iconic venues (and one of India’s happy hunting grounds!) was not merely a case of square scores. It was a declaration of purpose,” he wrote in a column for Cricinfo.
“The last match in that series, also played at The Oval, also to level a series, sparked a generational shift in Australian cricket that would shape the coming decade. The parallels are too strong to ignore,” he added.
“In 1972, Australia arrived in England in a transitional phase. Bill Lawry had departed. Graham McKenzie, Ian Redpath – names synonymous with the preceding era – were gone. A young side, led by my brother (Ian), stood on the brink of the unknown. When we won the final Test to draw the series, with Dennis Lillee announcing his ascension to the Australian fast-bowling throne, we didn’t just save face. We established a tone – one of aggression, unity, and belief – that underpinned the golden era of the 1970s,” Chappell noted.
Chappell sees India in 2025 at a similar inflexion point, with the number of senior figures making room for a new generation of stars.
“India in 2025 finds themselves at a similar inflection point. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin are all absent. Their replacements didn’t just fill gaps; they filled their boots and went on to create new ones.”
“Much like Australia at The Oval in 1972, India have drawn a line in the sand. They’ve told the cricketing world: “We are here. We are ready. And we are building something,” he concluded.