The exciting five-match India-England Test series came to a 2-2 draw as visitors, captained by Shubman Gill, staged a dramatic six-run win on the last day of the last Test at The Oval to level the series. This meant England have now not been able to beat India in either of the previous two home Test series. England’s failure has been a talking point already, but former Australia World Cup-winning captain Michael Clarke says 2-2 is a disappointing result for the home side.
Michael Clarke Criticises England’s Home Performance
“This England team, I think, 2-2 draw in your own backyard, if I’m captain of that team, I’m disappointed with that result,” Clarke said, speaking on his own YouTube channel.
“I want to win, especially in my own conditions. I think they would’ve come into the series expecting to win,” Clarke further said.
India’s “Overachievement” in Post-Kohli, Post-Rohit Era
The former Australian batter also said that Shubman Gill’s India “overachieved” in what was the first Test series after the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the format.
“I’m not taking India lightly, but I think they’ve overachieved, particularly with the lead-up to the series,” Clarke stated.
“If India lost the series, people would’ve respected and understood that. New captain, two of their most senior players not playing Test cricket, the best bowler in the world playing only three of the five matches – I think England would’ve gone into the series expecting to win,” Clarke added.
“India have overperformed. To level the series 2-2, that’s definitely a win for India in my opinion,” Clarke said.
Siraj’s Heroics Seal Historic Six-Run Victory
Even though India had won more sessions of play throughout the series, it was England that possessed a mammoth opportunity to secure a 3-1 series victory on Day 5 of The Oval Test. Starting the last day of the fifth Test, England only required 35 runs to secure the fifth Test with four wickets at hand.
But for a thrilling spell of bowling by India bowler Mohammed Siraj, supplemented by some support from Prasidh Krishna, India managed a dramatic six-run victory – their closest margin of victory in Tests in history.
