Following India’s stunning comeback to draw the recent five-match Test series against England 2-2, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh launched a scathing attack on Michael Vaughan, reminding the former England captain of his pre-series predictions. Vaughan had confidently predicted a 3-1 or even 3-0 victory for England, a forecast that ultimately fell flat as a young Indian side, under the new captaincy of Shubman Gill, defied expectations.
Vaughan’s Bold Prediction
Before the “Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy” commenced, the narrative surrounding the series largely favored England. With experienced stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin having retired from Test cricket, many pundits, including Michael Vaughan, underestimated the potential of the Shubman Gill-led Indian side. Vaughan had publicly stated his belief that England would secure the series with a dominant 3-1 or 3-0 margin.
India’s Resilient Performance and Thrilling Comeback
Despite the odds and the absence of several senior players, the young Indian team showcased immense fighting spirit throughout the series. They pushed England in every Test, demonstrating resilience and skill. The series culminated in a nail-biting final Test at The Oval, where India, against all expectations, snatched a thrilling six-run victory to level the series 2-2.
The fifth Test was a testament to India’s tenacity. England, chasing 374, looked to be in a commanding position, especially after centuries from Joe Root and Harry Brook. However, the Indian bowlers, particularly Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, produced a remarkable turnaround. Siraj’s fiery spell on the final day, including a decisive yorker to Gus Atkinson, sealed a historic win for India.
“Our Warriors Have Shown the Level of Indian Cricket”
In the aftermath of India’s heroic performance, Harbhajan Singh took to his YouTube channel to deliver a blunt reality check to Michael Vaughan and other English pundits.
“I feel there is a big win hidden for India here. Yes, the scoreline shows 2-2. Michael Vaughan and many others predicted that it would be 3-1 or 3-0. I would tell them to look towards their side a bit and where England cricket stands. Our warriors have shown the level of Indian cricket,” Harbhajan stated.
He further praised the young Indian team for creating history. “Unbelievable Test match and the way India have played the series, they deserve praise. When the team went to England, many people said it was young and there were no seniors. But see how the young team created history,” he added.
