The series witnessed the emergence of several promising talents on both sides, showcasing their potential in the absence of seasoned players like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Jack Leach.
Here are five emerging stars who have illuminated the Test arena:
Dhruv Jurel (IANS Photo)
1.Dhruv Jurel: Making his debut in the third Test in Rajkot, the wicketkeeper-batsman displayed remarkable composure, contributing crucial innings of 46 in Rajkot and 90 in Ranchi. His match-winning unbeaten 39 not out in the second innings of the fourth Test underscored his maturity and ability to perform under pressure.
India’s Sarfaraz Khan plays a shot. (AFP Photo)
2.Sarfaraz Khan: Another debutant in Rajkot, the middle-order batsman impressed with scores of 62 and an unbeaten 68 in the first and second innings respectively. Sarfaraz’s solid contributions played a pivotal role in India’s comprehensive victory by 434 runs in the third Test.
India’s Akash Deep bowls during the fourth Test. (AFP Photo)
3. Akash Deep: Tasked with filling the shoes of the rested Jasprit Bumrah, the fast bowler showcased his talent on debut in Ranchi. Despite a nervy start with a no-ball, Deep rattled the England top order with crucial breakthroughs, dedicating his maiden wickets to his late father.
England’s Tom Hartley (ANI Photo)
4. Tom Hartley: England’s left-arm spinner made an impactful debut in Hyderabad, scalping nine wickets in the match. His bowling prowess was instrumental in securing England’s victory, with crucial dismissals including those of Shubman Gill and KL Rahul.
Shoaib Bashir (PTI Photo)
5. Shoaib Bashir: Despite missing the first Test due to visa issues, Bashir made an immediate impact on debut in the second Test. The tall off-spinner showcased his potential with key wickets, including that of India captain Rohit Sharma, and went on to claim a five-wicket haul in Ranchi.
England’s Ben Stokes praised the performances of Hartley and Bashir, acknowledging their contributions to the team’s efforts.
As the series progresses, these emerging stars have undoubtedly left a lasting impression, signaling a bright future for Test cricket on both sides.
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(With inputs from AFP)
