When, one by one, cricket pundits predicted a series win for England over India for the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, Dinesh Karthik chose to go opposite to the flow. After the 5th test of the 5-match series, only Karthik's prediction proved absolutely on point. Before the series, he said that the series could conclude with a 2-2 scoreline, a draw.

After the culmination of the India-England rivalry for the prestigious title, the former India international reminded his followers on social media about his early prediction. Cricket experts like Michael Vaughan, Nasser Hussain, Alastair Cook, Graeme Swann, David Lloyd, Phil Tufnell, and many others said that England could win the series.

Even Dale Steyn and Aakash Chopra also believed that the host had the better chance to claim the trophy. Chopra and Steyn predicted a 3-2 series win for the England cricket team, while Lloyd said the scoreline could be shaped 4-0 for England. Eventually they all went wrong, and Dinesh Karthik, who said the series could end in a 2-2 draw, emerged as the right man on the occasion.

 

 

 

 

 

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Read More: 'Reports of Donald Trump...'- Former India cricketer not holding back even after ENG vs IND 5th Test

Who will win The Ashes 2025?

After the thrilling encounter in Australia, focus started to shift towards the upcoming Ashes series, where England will face their archrival, Australia. Who can win the prestigious trophy, England or Australia? Speaking to Sky Sports Cricket, former England captain Nasser Hussain asked Dinesh Karthik to predict the scoreline for the upcoming Ashes series, which will start in November. This time too, Karthik feels that England will not be able to win. He said, "3-2 Australia." 

England last won an Ashes series in Australia way back in 2010 to 2011, with a 3-1 victory. Since then, Australia has proved to be the dominant force over England. 

India clinched a thrilling victory in the fifth and final Test at The Oval by just six runs, leveling the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 series 2-2. KL Rahul, one of India’s senior-most players in the squad, reflected emotionally on the importance of the win. “Win means absolutely everything,” he said when asked by former cricketer Dinesh Karthik what the result meant to him. “I’ve played cricket for years. Won the Champions Trophy, seen the team lift the World Cup—of course nothing compares to winning the World Cup.”

India entered Day 5 needing to defend just 35 runs with four wickets remaining. Without Jasprit Bumrah, it was Mohammed Siraj who stepped up, claiming five wickets in the second innings to guide India home. Despite the series ending in a draw, Rahul called the tour “one of the highlights of Indian cricket,” emphasizing the significance of the final-day effort from a largely inexperienced squad.

Reflecting on the absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin, who all retired earlier this year, Rahul admitted it was a strange feeling. “Yes, it hit me when I joined the team,” he said. “I was here about two weeks earlier playing for India A, and it didn't hit me back then, but once I joined the team and I looked around, I didn't have a Rohit, a Virat, or an Ashwin.”

KL Rahul steps up as senior in young Indian side

Rahul acknowledged the new role he had taken on in the team, as the youngsters around him looked up to him for advice and leadership. “That's when it hit me that everyone else is looking at me, coming to me to ask about English conditions, what they need to do, and how they need to prepare,” he said. “It’s time for me to help the younger guys, use all the experience I've had... and really put my hand up.”

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"It's time for me to help the younger guys" 🧠

KL Rahul on his role within the India side 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/ZJWi7yk1hP

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 4, 2025

See Also: [WATCH] ENG vs IND 5th Test: Mohammed Siraj’s final strike seals epic 6-run win for India in the Oval thriller

On a personal note, Rahul expressed satisfaction with his individual performance, scoring 532 runs in ten innings at an average of 53.20 — third-highest in the series. “The most important thing is for the openers to give the team a solid start… I was really focused and really wanted the series to go well for me.”

The fifth and final Test between India and England is shaping up to be a nail-biting finish. Starting Day 4, India looked in control, with England still needing 324 runs to win and only one wicket down.

However, England staged a strong fightback through key partnerships that kept the chase alive. The hosts steadily chipped away at the target, frustrating the Indian bowlers with a composed batting display.

As the day neared its end, England were just 35 runs away from victory with three wickets remaining. But play was halted early due to poor light and rain, leaving the outcome hanging in the balance. The star commentators weren’t happy with this pause at the end.

See Also: Weather forecast for Day 05 of ENG vs IND 5th Test at Kennington Oval

Commentators Take Dig at ‘Match Officials’ Decision:

Rain paused the final session of the final Test, leading the umpires to send the players back to the pavilion. With conditions not improving, stumps were declared early, pushing the match into a decisive fifth and final day.

Experienced commentators Nasser Hussain and Dinesh Karthik questioned the umpires' decision to call stumps before time. They felt the game, which was building up to a thrilling finish, should have continued and reached its conclusion in front of a full crowd at the stadium.

On Sky Sports, Nasser Hussain said, “ Most importantly for viewers and fans who paid good money, remember Monday is a workday, and this sort of series deserves a finale in front of a big crowd at an iconic cricket ground, the Oval. That would have been some finale on Sunday, you may have just knocked off 35, or you may have seen Chris Woakes walk downstairs in a sling. I'm just wondering if they could have done anything, they had like 42-43 minutes to play with and within the laws and the playing regulations.”

He further said, “ If the groundsman had said no, we can't get the covers off in that time, the umpires would have to call stumps. I'm just wondering, you do have the option of the extra half hour, don't you? If you feel you can get result at 7.30, if there was 10 to win, the umpires would have given the team the extra half hour, I was just wondering if you could give the extra half hour at 6:42 (11:12 PM IST) and say to the teams, it has to come from the teams.”

Agreeing with Nasser Hussain, Dinesh Karthik also expressed disappointment over the early end to the day’s play. He remarked that the match officials should have applied some “common sense” before making such a decision, especially with the match so finely poised.

Karthik said, “ Little bit of rain, and I agree the rules are the rules, but I kind of like what Nasser said, that half an hour extension that you get meant, even if it meant it needed to start at 6.45, it could well have been 11, 12 hours, it could have gone either way, the crowd would have gotten to see the result, and it's a nice feeling to know that both teams have gone so hard, you give them the option, they don't want to use it, fair enough, everybody's going to come back tomorrow for whatever it's worth, but today, I think a little bit more common sense would have been to ask, I'm not saying it should happen, to ask I think is the fair thing to do.”

Former India wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik criticized Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal for deliberately wasting time ahead of the lunch break on Day 3 of the fifth Test between India and England at The Oval. As the session neared its end, the Indian batters seemingly looked to stretch time and avoid facing another over. Gill, who was on strike in the 44th over, deliberately slowed things down, while Jaiswal, at the non-striker's end, acted as if he was dealing with a hamstring issue.

The visitors’ tactics to delay play didn’t go unnoticed. Just before the last ball of the over, Jaiswal pointed to his hamstring and hobbled slightly, suggesting cramp. However, he walked off without any visible discomfort once the session ended. This appeared to frustrate the England players, leading to verbal exchanges and finger-pointing between the two sides as they left the field.

Dinesh Karthik, speaking on Sky Sports Cricket, expressed disappointment with the move.
"If the bowler is at the top of his mark, I think you should be ready as a batter. Jadeja is an exception. But if a fast bowler is ready, then you need to be ready. Especially if you are at the non-strikers' end, delaying it does not make sense," he remarked.

Karthik applauds Jaiswal’s batting heroics in challenging conditions

Despite his disapproval of the time-wasting, Karthik reserved high praise for Jaiswal’s batting. The opener struck a brilliant 118 off 164 balls on Day 3, hitting 14 fours and two sixes. It was his second century of the series, capping off an impressive maiden tour of England. Karthik appreciated Jaiswal’s temperament and application, especially on a difficult Oval pitch.

See Also: 'You certainly have a player' - Former Indian batting coach big statement on Jadeja's likely replacement during 5th ENG vs IND 2025 Test

"A very good series (for Jaiswal). Young player, coming to England for the first time, it's a massive challenge. For him, in all fairness, pitches have been good to bat on. But this pitch at The Oval was not easy. He put his mind in and batted nicely. But overall, a very successful series. For your first time in England, a series you will definitely take as an opener," Karthik noted. Jaiswal finished the series with 411 runs in 10 innings at an average of 41.10, including two hundreds and two fifties.

Since the incident on the fifth evening session of the fourth Test between England and India at Old Trafford, where the two Indian batters, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, refused the proposal from the home captain, Ben Stokes, to draw the fixture once the last hour began. 

However, both batters stood there as they were nearing their respective centuries. Jadeja was on their route to score the second red-ball century in England while Sundar was just a few runs away from the maiden Test century. That’s where Shubman Gill, the touring captain, showed his dominance, as Dinesh Karthik pointed out.

See Also: [WATCH] Former India star predicts India's bowling combination for ENG vs IND 5th Test at Kennington Oval

We have got a bona fide super superstar in our captain, Shubman Gill, with the bat, in how much he has shown his guts. Because of how much he stands his ground about what he believes in. That last 10-15 minutes, the way it unfolded, he was just standing there on the balcony, literally poker-faced, saying Get out there. Get your 100. Ben Stokes and team, I guess you guys have to field long because it’s your opportunity, and I quite like that in terms of body language.’ Karthik reckoned in a discussion on Cricbuzz.

Watch: Dinesh Karthik and Michael Vaughan react to Shubman Gill's captaincy in ENG vs IND 2025 Test series

Apart from captaincy, Gill has done an incredible job with the bat, having been the leading run-getter of the series with 722 runs in eight innings at an average of 90.25 and a strike rate of 65.28 with 79 boundaries and 12 sixes. Michael Vaughan has also shed light on that matter.

'Superstar in Shubman Gill' @DineshKarthik & @MichaelVaughan laud the India captain, right here#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/N9WOZML77D

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) July 29, 2025

‘You are in your right. If you want to bat a bit, you can bat as long as the overs are being played. You are allowed to stay out there and get more runs for your players. I liked watching a young captain with that authority. He wasn’t scared of poke the bear. It’s just standing for your team. So far, I have seen a captain in Shubman willing to do that.’ The former England captain explained.

The series is still on 2-1 towards the home side, as the tourists will have the chance to walk off with a drawn series result with a victory in the fifth and final game of the series at the Kennington Oval in South London.

The ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has been fiercely contested, but in the fourth Test at Manchester, England have clearly outclassed the visiting Indian side. After restricting India to 358, the English batters came out with intent and showcased their trademark Bazball approach. While the top three fell short of centuries, Joe Root took full advantage of India’s ineffective bowling attack and went on to register his second hundred of the series. While doing so, the talismanic England batter also surpassed Ricky Ponting in the list of most runs in Test cricket.

Root is now just behind former India batter Sachin Tendulkar, and the right-handed batter is looking strong in his desire to break the legend's record. It is worth noting that Tendulkar has scored 15,921 runs in Test Cricket and Root started the ongoing fourth Test with a difference of less than 3000 runs ot break the record. The stylish right-hand batter also scored his 38th Test century in the process as India's bowlers had no answer to his classy batting. Among several who are praising the veteran for his craft is none other than former India batter Dinesh Karthik. The former India wicket keeper complimented that Root looks so pleasant to the eyes and at times it is a delight to watch him watch. 

See Also: 'Macha, I need some English here' - Indian batter's hilarious remark on Day 3 of ENG vs IND 2025 4th Test

“He is so easy on the eyes. It's beautiful to watch. Generally, you associate beauty with left-handers. But Joe Root is one of those right-handers you would love to watch. He is very easy, plays the ball so late. It almost seems like he times the ball very well rather than bludgeoning the ball, which I used to see in white ball cricket, playing such a big role in cricket these days,” former India wicket keeper said.

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"Joe Root is one of those right-handers you love to watch" ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VoQJwKYRH3

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 25, 2025

I enjoy watching Joe Root bat: Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik also said that he enjoys watching Joe Root bat and recalled seeing a different side of him during the SA20, where Root was trying to hit the ball harder. He noted that while Root is still trying in that format, batting in Tests comes more naturally to him. Karthik mentioned that he admires how Root plays with a smile and seems approachable. He added that he feels he could walk up to Root and have a conversation, and Root would speak as if he had achieved nothing.

“So, I enjoy watching Joe Root bat, and I have seen the other side of him, trying to bludgeon the ball in SA20. He is still trying there and here it comes more naturally to him. I enjoy watching Joe Root because he plays with a smile. You almost know he is always approachable and you can have a conversation with him. Right now, I can go and have a conversation with him, and he will just talk to me like he has achieved nothing," Karthik concluded.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shared a special video on Rishabh Pant, who inspired a lot of people at Old Trafford. In the morning, the news came that he had fractured his toes by trying to play a premeditated reverse-sweep against Chris Woakes and had been advised a six-week rest.

That meant there was no chance of the left-handed batter taking any part in the game. But the Delhi batter was robust. He came down the stairs and walked through the atmosphere where the spectators stood up and lauded his courage. Rishabh Pant also smashed Ben Stokes for a six into the stands and celebrated his half-century to carry India over the 350-run mark.

See Also: [WATCH] Rishabh Pant comes out to bat amidst fractured toe during ENG vs IND 4th Test in Manchester

‘For him to come back and do what he did - that was something special. What he did today, if that doesn’t lift the team, nothing will. The ovation he got while going away, and the ovation he got coming back, and the applause he got from everyone from the England team out there.’ Ravi Shastri, the former Indian head coach, expressed in the video.

Watch: Ravi Shastri, Dinesh Karthik, and Cheteshwar Pujara highlight Rishabh Pant’s courage during Eng vs Ind 4th Test.

‘Before the Test, I asked him, ‘How’s the finger? Toota to nahi hain? (Isn’t it broken?) Will you play this game?’ He said, ‘Of course, I will play, toota bhi hota to khelta (I would have played even if my finger was broken.’ Shastri added regarding how Pant nearly broke his finger at Lord’s while grabbing the ball of Jasprit Bumrah.

BCCI's special video for Rishabh Pant featuring Ravi Shastri, Dinesh Karthik, and Cheteshwar Pujara pic.twitter.com/MU9NPkkBtF

— Sandy (@flamboypant) July 25, 2025

‘One thing that’s for sure is England loves Rishabh Pant. It’s always inspirational to still come and score those 16-18 runs. In sports, certain moments live a long life, and it was such a moment. Showing that he cares and he wants to win the series was brilliant to watch.’ The former wicket-keeper batter, Dinesh Karthik, shed light.  

‘We need more players like him who can step up in difficult moments. He showed a lot of courage to come out to bat. Every step he took, he was in pain. He showed a lot of character.’ Cheteshwar Pujara added as India finished the second day’s play with England trailing by 133 runs and eight wickets in hand.  

The former wicket-keeper batter, Dinesh Karthik, has analyzed the current captain, Shubman Gill’s, captaincy after the first three Tests of the five-match series at Lord’s. There were different opinions on what he should have done in that situation when the entire team went after the two England openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, at Lord’s.

Karthik reckoned that Shubman Gill did the right thing in that position. He also described the words of the Punjab-born, who addressed that he wasn’t pleased when the two home openers took 90 seconds more than scheduled to take the field on that evening session at Lord’s.

See Also: Why is Karun Nair not playing today in ENG vs IND 4th Test at Manchester?

I have enjoyed him as a captain so far. On the field, he is improving. But off the field, he has mostly impressed. Yesterday’s press conference was box-office in terms of apparently he just went quiet till the last question was asked about why things have just gotten a bit spicy. And he said, ‘Look, England were 90 seconds late and I don’t appreciate that.’ And I liked it.’ Karthik expressed during a recent interaction on Sky Sports Cricket.

Watch: Dinesh Karthik analyzes Shubman Gill’s captaincy before ENG vs IND Test in Manchester  

Gill was vocal in the press conference on the eve of the game, where he cleared the air. It can be easily done by the right-handed batter, who has been in a dream touch with over 600 runs to be the current leading run-getter of the season.

"It's good to be fiesty, you need to have an identity as a captain" 🔥

DK is loving Shubman Gill's approach to captaining India 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/O4VjzicFaL

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 23, 2025

‘You need to be feisty. You need to have an identity as captain, and Shubman Gill, from the third day at Lord’s, has shown. That’s how he wants to lead this Indian team, and that’s his way. But the point is it’s made for a thrilling Test series here and his batting has backed it.’ Karthik pointed out.

Captaincy comes with various challenges. Many opinions will start to come from different directions for the individuals. But the most important part will be to understand the individual mindset and use that in the field. At the end of the day, that individual will be answerable for whatever he does in the middle.

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik added a touch of humor to the ongoing Test series between England and India by revealing a doppelganger of Cheteshwar Pujara. Currently part of the broadcast and commentary panel for the series, Karthik shared a light-hearted video on Instagram comparing Pujara with a British sports journalist. The post quickly went viral among fans and fellow commentators.

“What I'm going to show you right now is one cricketer and another person who looks so similar, from a completely different part of the globe. Let me show you all. This is Cheteshwar Pujara, an Indian cricketer and a man who's into broadcasting recently, and have a look at this, this is Alex Noble,” Karthik said in the video. He then asked both individuals if they thought they resembled each other, which led to a hearty laugh among them all. Karthik affectionately dubbed Alex Noble a “proper doppelganger.”

Alex Noble is a sports journalist with BBC Sport, while Cheteshwar Pujara is currently working as part of the broadcast team during the England series. The moment provided a much-needed comic relief amid the intensity of the ongoing Test battle.

Pujara Continues to Wait for India Recall

Pujara, 37, last represented India in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval. Since then, he has been consistently overlooked, missing out on both home and away series, including the ongoing five-match tour of England. Despite his vast experience of 103 Tests and over 7000 runs, Pujara has not been selected in favor of younger players.

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See Also: 'Prepare him for surgical strikes... ' - Former India coach's intriguing advice for Jasprit Bumrah during ENG vs IND 2025 series

Pujara has been active in first-class cricket, scoring 402 runs in seven matches for Saurashtra during the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season, which included a double hundred. While senior pros like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are absent from the current squad, Pujara still hasn’t found a way back into the team. For now, his role behind the mic is the only presence fans can witness during the England tour.

Freddie Wilde, the analyst for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), during a recent interaction on the Love of Cricket pod, has given credit to their batting coach and mentor, Dinesh Karthik, for their winning the maiden title of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2025. It was a very pleasing moment for the Bengaluru players, especially Virat Kohli, and the fans, who waited eagerly for the moment. 

Wilde recalled how Karthik carried a very animated approach in the IPL environment, just like the former left-arm pacer and the Gujarat Titans’ coach, Ashish Nehra. He also described how the Tamil Nadu batter used to make the small adjustments in the tight games to produce results in the end. He also gave an example of one such fixture.

See Also: Jos Buttler celebrates epic milestone during T20 Blast 2025 against Yorkshire

‘DK was very animated, similar to Ashish Nehra, in terms of moving fielders & making adjustments - in couple of tight games, where DK made small adjustments to the field as a football manager do - I think it was against CSK, where he moved third man fractionally finer, by a few meters and ball went to straight to that guy.’ Wilde expressed during the recent interaction on Love of Cricket Pod.

RCB analyst credits this player over Virat Kohli for RCB’s success in IPL 2025

It was an incredible season with both bat and ball in hand for the ‘Play Bold’ franchise, who didn’t lose a single clash away from home. They finished the group stage of the tournament in the second position with nine victories in 14 games at a net run rate of +0.301. There were moments when they found themselves in a do-or-die situation and still got over the line.

RCB’s former captain, Virat Kohli, finished as the third leading run-getter of the edition. The right-handed batter smashed 657 runs in 15 innings at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71, with 66 boundaries and 19 sixes in the event. In the bowling department, Josh Hazlewood finished as the third leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps at an average of under 18.

In the final of the IPL 2025, they put 190/9 on the board before caging Shreyas Iyer’s Punjab Kings to 184/7 in the 20 overs to gain a six-run victory and lift their maiden title of the IPL 2025.