Ravichandran Ashwin has showered praise on his teammate Jasprit Bumrah, crediting the pace spearhead as the “real show stealer” in India’s thrilling victory over England in the second Test at Vizag. The spin all-rounder also compared the ongoing India vs England Test series with the iconic Ashes 2005.
Bumrah delivered a match-winning performance, bagging a career-best 9 wickets across both innings to guide India to a 106-run win and level the five-match series 1-1 after their opening-match defeat.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin lauded Bumrah’s exceptional bowling, calling it a “Himalayan feat.” He highlighted Bumrah’s achievement of becoming the fastest Indian pacer to reach 150 Test wickets and the first Indian pacer to be ranked No. 1 in the world.
“BoomBall has been extraordinary,” Ashwin declared, using Bumrah’s nickname. “He’s the leading wicket-taker and the No. 1 ranked Test bowler. I’m a huge fan of his, and this is a remarkable accomplishment.”
Ravichandran Ashwin: India vs England and Ashes 2005
Ravichandran Ashwin also commended young batsman Shubman Gill for justifying his talent with a brilliant century in the second Test. Gill smashed his first ton of the year, a well-compiled 104 runs, to provide crucial stability to the Indian batting.
“Shubman Gill has immense talent, and his hundred showcased his true potential,” Ashwin said.
Reflecting on the team’s spirit, Ravichandran Ashwin credited their positive energy and collaborative effort for the comeback win on Day 4. He even drew parallels to the famous 2005 Ashes series between England and Australia, highlighting the captivating nature of the ongoing Test match.
“We came into the fourth day with it all being even-stevens. But our extraordinary vibe, energy and team performance helped us level the series 1-1. England played an exciting Ashes series against Australia in 2005 and I followed that with great interest. I am getting a similar feeling of excitement about this series as well,” said Ashwin.
This comparison sets the stage for an even more captivating remainder of the India-England Test series. With the score tied at 1-1, both teams will be vying for dominance in the upcoming matches. Whether India can continue their winning momentum or England can bounce back, Ashwin’s excitement echoes the anticipation shared by cricket fans globally.
With the series evenly poised, India will look to build on their momentum when they take on England in the third Test at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on February 15th.
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