Congratulations India for such a thrilling win. Surely has to rank up there with their greatest victories on foreign soil. I tip my hat to India's bowlers for an incredible fightback, and to their batting and fielding for keeping them in the game. Siraj is now up there with the great bowlers of Indian cricket, in my opinion. Lots of potential in Shubman Gill's side, and this will give them confidence. Yes, they may not have won their first series in the UK for 18 years, but I think the best is yet to come for this young team. Still haven't forgiven Gambhir for some team selections though. Hope he learns from his mistakes, like developing a good fast bowling attack, not giving away momentum with the bat, and consistently fielding well.
Also huge kudos to England. Results aside, I really like a lot of the outside the box thinking that's changing the way people think about test cricket. It's hard not to admire the team culture that Baz and Stokes have built over the last 3 years (with that "no d***heads" policy, it will be even better). A special mention to Joe Root and Harry Brook's swashbuckling stuff, and Atkinson's 8 fer. Also, my respect for Chris Woakes went up several knots. He is a team mean, one who often goes unnoticed. To come out with only one arm to bat takes a lot of courage. If this is among the last times we see him in whites, it's been a pleasure. On to a thrilling Ashes! Ain't no way Glenn McGrath can predict 5-0 this time.
We should always remind ourselves of what we are grateful for in life. And I'm thankful to share the earth with the best, purest format of the game, test match cricket. Every lesson of life can be learned by playing the longest form of the game. But we needn't be complacent, for there are times where its future remains dire. It will take the whole cricketing world to demand its preservation across all nations, and not just the Big 3. So I hope the future generations know that this format is for them too. It takes humanity for sport to happen. And long may we see that shining for this traditional, confusing, but eternally beautiful and beloved game. Cricket, lovely cricket.
