The Indian cricket team displayed a commendable performance to clinch the five-match Test series against England, taking a substantial lead with a 3-1 victory in the penultimate game. The pair of Dhruv Jurel and Shubman Gill showcased their resilience with a crucial 72-run partnership, guiding India to a successful chase of 192 runs, after facing a precarious situation earlier in the encounter. This momentous series win marks the first Test defeat for England under the new leadership duo of Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, known for advocating the aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach.
The series itself was a captivating spectacle, with moments that will undoubtedly resonate with fans for years. The eventual scoreline might not fully reflect the intensity of competition that unfurled on the cricket field. In a reflection of sportsmanship, England’s captain Ben Stokes acknowledged the superiority of the Indian team’s skills during the decisive fourth Test, without placing any blame on his players. Talking to TNT Sport post-match, Stokes graciously commented, “Cricket is a game of skill against skill, isn’t it? When you look at it like that, skill vs. skill, their skill was better than ours on this occasion.”
The journey to series triumph for India was not short of heroes. Various players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Dhruv Jurel, and Jasprit Bumrah stood up and delivered under high-pressure scenarios. It is noteworthy that the Indian line-up was not at full strength for various segments of the series. Powerhouses such as Virat Kohli and KL Rahul were absent for significant parts, Kohli sidelined for all four matches and Rahul contesting in just one. Mohammad Shami out of the squad and Ravindra Jadeja missing the second Test further compounded the challenges. Yet, the ‘Men in Blue’ proved their mettle and surged to victory.
In a bid to identify the series’ standout performer, India TV conducted a poll among its readers, posing the query “Who is India’s ‘real hero’ in the Test series win over England?” The candidates for this informal accolade included stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Dhruv Jurel.
With a total of 9,163 participants casting their votes, the results highlighted the fondness and appreciation of the fans for the emerging talents. Ravichandran Ashwin garnered the least support with 9.88% of the votes, and Rohit Sharma was next, amassing 14.37%. The competition for the top hero was primarily between Jaiswal and Jurel. Jurel secured a respectable 32.07% of the votes, but it was Jaiswal who ultimately earned the title of ‘real hero,’ claiming 43.66% of the total count.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s extraordinary batting prowess was on full display throughout the series, a significant factor influencing the public’s opinion. Stamping his authority, Jaiswal notched up a double century in the pivotal second Test’s first innings, a match where no other batsman on his team could even cross the 40-run mark in India’s tally of 396. He continued his exceptional form with an unbeaten 214 in the third Test’s second innings, setting up a formidable target of 557 for England. These stellar performances played a pivotal role in his crowning by the poll results.
As fans celebrated this hard-fought series victory and the emergence of new cricketing talent, the poll shed light on the players who captured the hearts of the spectators. As the Indian team basks in the glory of their triumph, it is Jaiswal who stands out as the fan-favorite hero, a title well-deserved for his otherworldly performance against a competitive English side.
