PASSING THE ENGLISH TEST

A report card of Shubman Gill's young team in his first series as captain

- BY AYAZ MEMON

The first time Mohammed Siraj carried India's T bowling on his tireless back, India breached the Gabba fortress in 2021. Books were written, documentaries were made and heroes were etched in stone. Four years later, Siraj stepped up once again, bowling unrelentingly in all five Tests and ending the series in England with a bowling performance for the ages..

The tour ended in a 2-2 draw, but was the most thrilling encounter since the one in Australia during the pandemic.

A look at the performances of Shubman Gill's men in an enthralling see-sawing English summer:

SHUBMAN GILL 9.5/10

Though he had a modest overseas record, and was in his first series as captain, Gill quelled concerns of how he would handle the twin responsibility. He scored 754 sublime runs with four centuries; only Don Bradman, with 810, has more as captain in a series.

As captain, Gill began a trifle uncertainly, but grew in authority and tactical acumen with every session. He was at his best in the melodramatic 56 minutes on the last day of the series at the Oval.

K.L. RAHUL 8.5/10

Had a plum series with 532 runs, his best at this level. His technical finesse and unruffled approach consistently stymied the efforts of the English pacers to hustle through India's top order, allowing the middle order to flourish. Barring the odd blemish, he was superb in the slips and was Gill's go-to man for advice.

YASHASVI JAISWAL 7.5/10

The swashbuckling opener began the series with a searing century, went through a slump by chancing his arm too early, but made a timely return to form. He scored a controlled, critical century in the last Test to set England a target that would be just out of their reach. Topped 350 runs in a series for the third time. Excitability, leading to fielding errors, is something he needs to guard against.

SAI SUDHARSAN 5.5/10