Team India and England are currently engaged in a five-match Test series, with the fifth and final match set to begin on March 07 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. As the series unfolds, former England skipper Michael Vaughan has singled out a young English player who he believes could emulate the success of Indian spin maestro Ravichandran Ashwin.
Rising stars shine in the series
Throughout the series, several young talents from both sides have showcased their skills on the cricket field, drawing attention with their noteworthy performances. Players like Dhruv Jurel and Shoaib Bashir have particularly caught the eye with their impressive displays.
Michael Vaughan’s predicts England’s Ravichandran Ashwin
Following the conclusion of the Ranchi Test, where India emerged victorious, Vaughan made a bold prediction regarding the future of English cricket. He hailed Shoaib Bashir as England’s potential answer to Ravichandran Ashwin in the longest format of the game. Vaughan emphasized Bashir’s stellar performance in the second Test, where he claimed eight wickets, drawing parallels with the Indian spin wizard.
“It’s been a fantastic week for English cricket. One of the great weeks, celebrating another world-class superstar that we’ve unearthed, Shoaib Bashir. That’s what we’re celebrating. Second Test match, eight wickets, he’s the new Ravi Ashwin, and we’ve unearthed him. So, we’re celebrating a new superstar in English cricket,” Vaughan said on Club Prairie Fire’s YouTube channel.
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Celebrating new talent amidst defeat
Despite England’s loss in the Ranchi Test, Vaughan remained optimistic about the team’s prospects, especially with upcoming talent like Bashir in their ranks. He acknowledged India’s dominance at home, marking their 17th consecutive Test series win on home soil since 2012.
Looking ahead to the final Test in Dharamsala, Vaughan expressed confidence in England’s ability to bounce back and secure a victory. He noted that despite England’s defeat in the series, they have displayed promising signs throughout, hinting at a potential shift in the dynamics of English cricket.
“I think it’s going to be a fresh one in Dharamsala, so I expect England to win. They’ve been the better team in the series, as they were in the Ashes. If you go session by session, England have looked a better team. I’m saying looked a better team, but we don’t play series now to win them. I think people have got to understand that the game of cricket has changed in the UK. We don’t play to win them, we play to just bring entertainment, bring joy, and unearth new talent,” Vaughan added.
