Former India cricketer Yograj Singh, who is also the father of Yuvraj Singh, heaped high praise on Mohammed Siraj following his standout performance in the final Test against England at The Oval. Siraj played a crucial role in helping India clinch a narrow win and level the series 2-2.

Yograj Singh was especially impressed by Siraj’s energy, consistency, and determination throughout the series. He mentioned that watching Siraj bowl reminded him of the great Kapil Dev, one of India’s finest all-rounders. According to Yograj, Siraj's hunger to take wickets and his aggressive style closely resembled Kapil’s approach during his playing days.

Comparing a modern-day bowler to a legend like Kapil Dev is no small compliment. Yograj’s remarks highlighted how Siraj’s recent performances, particularly in high-pressure situations, have taken his game to a new level and earned him admiration from former players and fans alike.

See Also: 3 Indian players who might miss out on selection for next Test series after IND vs ENG 2025

Yograj Singh Praises Siraj’s Hard Work:

Mohammed Siraj played a key role in India’s thrilling six-run victory in the final Test at The Oval, picking up nine wickets in the match, including a five-wicket haul in the second innings. His efforts were crucial in turning the game around, especially after England looked set to win at 301/3 while chasing 374.

In a conversation with ANI, former cricketer Yograj Singh praised Siraj’s outstanding performance. He highlighted how Siraj led the Indian bowling attack with determination and skill, helping the team level the series despite being under immense pressure on the final day of the match.

He said, “The way our players have played, it was amazing to watch. The way Mohammed Siraj bowled, he reminded me of Kapil Dev. The captaincy of Shubman Gill was mature. It did not seem at all that he was a captain for the first time.”

Miya Magic in The Oval:

Mohammed Siraj was one of the two pacers, alongside Chris Woakes, to feature in all five tough Test matches. While Woakes got injured in the final game, Siraj remained strong throughout the series. He emerged as the top wicket-taker, claiming 23 wickets and proving his consistency and resilience across all five matches.

Mohammed Siraj shared that he strongly believed he could help India win the Oval Test on the final day. England needed just 35 runs with four wickets left, but Siraj turned the match around. Delivering a brilliant spell of pace bowling, he took three of the last four wickets, including the final dismissal of Gus Atkinson, leading India to a memorable and hard-fought victory.

Siraj earned the Player of the Match award for his outstanding performance in both innings of the crucial Oval Test. His impact with the ball played a key role in securing victory in the series decider, showcasing his skill and determination when it mattered most for his team.

Sunrisers Hyderabad CEO Kavya Maran has been named as one of the 14 members of the Telangana Sports Policy board. The new panel has been formed as part of the state's broader strategy to promote sporting development. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy officially launched the policy during the inaugural Telangana Sports Conclave held in Hyderabad.

The Sports Policy of Telangana is designed to promote sports activities, upgrade the sports infrastructure, and provide help to sportsmen from the grassroots level up to the international level. A significant element of the policy includes the creation of a Board of Governors to supervise the Telangana Sports Development Fund. The fund will be directed toward helping athletes excel at national and international events, including the Olympics.

The policy has roped in several big names from Indian sports and business. World Cup-winning cricket captain Kapil Dev, Olympic gold medalist shooter Abhinav Bindra, ace badminton coach Pullela Gopichand, former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia, and business tycoon Sanjiv Goenka are some of the leading members of this committee of high-powered personalities.

Kavya Maran's Rise in Sports Administration

Kavya Maran, the daughter of Sun Group Chairman Kalanithi Maran, is one of the youngest people on the policy board. She is a regular presence in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has been seen in the stands passionately cheering on the Sunrisers Hyderabad. This inclusion in the policy board is of major significance for the involvement of younger and impactful voices in Indian sports development.

See Also: [WATCH] ENG vs IND 2025, 5th Test: Mohammed Siraj’s shocking blunder turns Harry Brook’s wicket into 6 at the Oval

Kavya comes from a politically and economically influential family, and she has a strong legacy. It is known that her grandfather Murasoli Maran was a senior DMK leader and her uncle Dayanidhi Maran has been in the Lok Sabha several times and also held Union Cabinet positions. Her appointment as one of the most influential women in the Indian sports business highlights her increasing involvement and contribution in the field.

India’s Test captain Shubman Gill continues to struggle with tosses in the England series, losing yet another one in the fifth Test at The Oval on July 31. England chose to bowl first, marking Gill’s fifth straight toss loss of the series. Remarkably, this extends the record to 15 consecutive toss defeats for an Indian men’s captain in international cricket.

This unfortunate streak also places India among the rare teams to lose all five tosses in a five-match Test series. It’s the 14th time this has happened in cricket history. With India trailing 1-2 in the series, the final match becomes a must-win to secure a draw. To boost their chances, India made four changes, bringing in Dhruv Jurel, Karun Nair, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna.

Gill, despite the toss setbacks, will be determined to end the series on a high. His name now joins an exclusive list—he’s the fourth Indian captain to lose all tosses in a five-Test series. With senior players like Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah missing, the young skipper will look to inspire his team with leadership and performance in this crucial encounter.

4. Lala Amarnath

During the 1948/49 West Indies tour of India, captain Lala Amarnath lost all five tosses, with West Indies skipper John Goddard winning each one. The series began with three consecutive draws in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. The fourth Test in Chennai saw a dominant West Indies win by an innings and 193 runs, while the final Test in Mumbai was drawn.

India eventually lost the series 0-1, having failed to win a single match despite home conditions. Lala Amarnath, who captained India in 15 Tests overall, managed just two wins, with six losses and seven draws. His unfortunate toss streak in that series mirrored a challenging phase for Indian cricket during its early Test years.

3 Kapil Dev

In the 1982/83 tour of the West Indies, Kapil Dev endured a tough phase as India’s captain, losing all five tosses in the Test series. Clive Lloyd, leading the hosts, won every toss. West Indies claimed victories in the first Test at Sabina Park and the fourth at Barbados, while the remaining matches ended in draws.

India ultimately lost the series 0-2, with Kapil Dev struggling both with toss luck and results. Despite being a legendary all-rounder, his Test captaincy record wasn’t remarkable, leading India in 34 matches, he managed only four wins, with seven defeats and 22 draws during his tenure.

See Also: Why is Jasprit Bumrah not playing today in ENG vs IND 5th Test at The Oval?

2 Virat Kohli

Former India captain Virat Kohli also features on the list of skippers who lost all five tosses in a Test series. During India’s 2018 tour of England, Kohli failed to win a single toss. England won the first two Tests at Birmingham and Lord’s, while India bounced back with a big win in the third Test at Nottingham.

However, England sealed the series 4-1 by winning the final two Tests at Southampton and The Oval. Despite the toss misfortune, Kohli remains India’s most successful Test captain, leading the side in 68 matches with 40 wins, 17 losses, and 11 draws, achieving a commendable win percentage of 58.82.

1 Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill has now joined the list of captains who lost all five tosses in a Test series. In his debut series as India’s Test skipper, he failed to win a single toss. England took the first Test at Leeds, but India bounced back with a dominant 336-run win in the second Test at Birmingham to level the series.

England regained the lead with a narrow 22-run win in the third Test at Lord’s, while the fourth Test in Manchester ended in a draw. With the series at 2-1, the final Test becomes decisive. England aim to clinch the series, while Shubman Gill’s team will push hard for a win to level the contest and end on a high.

The 1983 World Cup-winning Indian captain Kapil Dev recently talked about the present world-class all-rounders, the 34-year-old English pace-bowling all-rounder Ben Stokes, and the 36-year-old Indian spin-bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. 

Both Ben Stokes and Ravindra Jadeja are playing very important roles for their respective teams in the ongoing five-match Test series in England, the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. Stokes is the leading wicket-taker in this Test series with 16 wickets, while the English Test captain has recorded a fifer and a century in the ongoing Manchester Test. In the meantime, the middle-order batter Ravindra Jadeja is the seventh leading run-scorer in the Test series with 347 runs in seven innings, including four consecutive half-centuries. Also, the left-handed spinner has picked up seven wickets in the series, including four wickets during England's first innings in the Manchester Test. 

See Also: 'Hard to sustain...' - Former World Cup winning captain huge remark on Jasprit Bumrah's bowling action

I still feel Jadeja is ahead: Kapil Dev

While the Manchester Test, the fourth Test of the series, is running, Kapil Dev praised Stokes but felt Jadeja was ahead. According to the Crickit report, Kapil Dev said, "I don't want to compare. Stokes is a good all-rounder, but I still feel Jadeja is ahead. He is performing far better."

Ravindra Jadeja has played more than 350 international matches, while Ben Stokes has played over 250 international matches, and both have proven themselves as one of the best all-rounders in international cricket history. 

Ravindra Jadeja's international cricket career (updated before the 2025 Manchester Test)

After making his international cricket debut in February 2009, Ravindra Jadeja has played 83 Tests, 204 ODIs, and 74 T20Is. As a left-handed batter, he has scored 3697 Test runs, 2806 ODI runs, and 515 T20I runs. On the other hand, the left-arm spinner has picked up 326 Test wickets, 231 ODI wickets, and 54 T20I wickets.

Ben Stokes' international cricket career (updated before the 2025 Manchester Test)

Meanwhile, Ben Stokes has played 114 Tests, 114 ODIs, and 43 T20Is since his international cricket debut in August 2011. The left-handed batter has scored 6891 Test runs, 3463 ODI runs, and 585 T20I runs. In the meantime, the right-arm fast medium bowler has also recorded 224 Test wickets, 74 ODI wickets, and 26 T20I wickets in his international career. 

Legendary ODI World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev recently opened up about his view on the Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah's unorthodox bowling action, as the right-arm fast bowler is dominating the cricket world with his powerful bowling.

Many cricket experts have been stunned by Jasprit Bumrah's incredible bowling performances, which the right-arm fast bowler has maintained consistently for a long time. He is a leading figure in the Indian bowling structure in recent cricket success for the nation. 

Although there are some non-stop accusations of chucking against Bumrah, the experts have proved that the Indian pacer's bowling action has never broken the ICC regulations. Meanwhile, his unorthodox bowling action first made him popular, but it has played a major role in his becoming one of the toughest and most consistent fast bowlers in world cricket. 

[WATCH] ENG VS IND 4TH TEST: Jasprit Bumrah clean bowled Liam Dawson

We didn’t think he would be able to play this far: Kapil Dev on Jasprit Bumrah

Meanwhile, legendary Indian cricketer Kapil Dev, who was one of the greatest pace-bowling all-rounders of all time, was also known for his outstanding fitness, as he never missed a Test match due to an injury. While he is one of the right people to tell about fitness, he never thought that Bumrah could be able to play for a long time in international cricket due to putting too much stress on the body. The 1983 World Cup-winning Indian captain felt that Bumrah's awkward action was difficult to sustain.  

Kapil Dev said, according to PTI, “I think everybody is different. Times have changed, bodies are different. They are working differently. It is difficult to judge. Yes, he is one of the fast bowlers we have, but his action is so awkward, and it is difficult to sustain."

“We didn’t think he would be able to play this far because he puts too much stress on the body. But still, he is delivering to the Indian team. So hats off to him."

Jasprit Bumrah has played over 200 international matches

The 31-year-old Jasprit Bumrah has already played 47 Tests, 89 ODIs, and 70 T20Is, where the right-arm fast bowler has picked up 217, 149, and 89 wickets, respectively (all the stats before the 2025 Manchester Test against England). He was a key figure of India's many successes in international cricket, including winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, where he won the Player of the Tournament award.  

Jasprit Bumrah, the world’s No. 1 Test bowler, is once again leading India’s bowling attack in the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford. On Day 3, he got his first wicket by dismissing Jamie Smith, who was looking dangerous. Smith edged the ball to keeper Dhruv Jurel, who took a clean catch.

With that wicket, Bumrah created history. He is now the first Indian bowler to take 50 Test wickets in England against the home team. This is just his 1th Test in England, making the achievement even more special.

Bumrah now has his eyes on Ishant Sharma’s record of 51 Test wickets in England. If he takes two more wickets in this match, he will go past Ishant and become India’s most successful Test bowler on English soil. That’s not all. Bumrah could also become the top Asian bowler in England. Right now, that record is held by Pakistan legend Wasim Akram, who took 53 wickets in England. Bumrah needs just four more wickets to beat that mark.

There’s one more big milestone waiting. If Bumrah takes another five-wicket haul in this match, he will have 12 five-wicket hauls in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia). That would break Wasim Akram’s record of 11. With two five-wicket hauls already in this series, Bumrah has a golden chance to create more history and show why he’s one of the best fast bowlers in the world today.

ALSO READ: Joe Root Breaks Don Bradman's Record, Proves He's One of the Greatest in Test History

 Most Test Wickets for India Against England (England)

Legendary former India cricketer and ex-head coach Ravi Shastri has named his five greatest Indian cricketers of all time. Shastri made the revelation while appearing as a guest on the Stick to Cricket podcast, hosted by Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook, David Llyod, and Phil Tufnell. His list caused debate because it missed some of India's biggest stars.

Shastri's top five were Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni—thus missing out on legends like Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, and Rohit Sharma. Tendulkar was No. 1 on Shastri's list with respect to the Little Master's incredible longevity, technique, and because of who he played against during his playing career. 

"No. 1 would be Tendulkar because of the expectations and because of longevity, for having played 24 years in the game. 100 hundreds,” said Shastri. “He played every pace attack of that decade. He started playing against Wasim (Akram), Waqar (Younis), and Imran (Khan). Then went on to the Aussies. Then the English attack Broady (Stuart Broad) and (James) Anderson, and the South Africans attack (Jacques) Kallis, Shaun (Pollock), and Allan Donald. He is pure, technique-wise and following-wise.”

Ganguly, Dravid, Rohit, and Kumble miss out

Sourav Ganguly and Rohit Sharma, two captains who have led India to ICC titles, were not part of Shastri's list. Ganguly had led India to victory in the 2002 Champions Trophy and the final of the 2003 World Cup. Rohit, despite leading India to the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup title, was also omitted.

See Also: Shubman Gill shares crucial injury update on Indian pacer ahead of ENG vs IND 2025 4th Test

Also missing were Rahul Dravid—India's second-highest run-getter in Tests—and Anil Kumble, India's top wicket-taker in both Tests and ODIs. Instead, Shastri picked World Cup-winning captains Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni and included Virat Kohli, India’s most successful Test captain during Shastri’s coaching tenure. Sunil Gavaskar, the first batter to cross 10,000 runs in Test cricket and a trailblazer in Indian batting, rounded off the top five.

It’s been 42 years since Indian cricket changed forever, and Kapil Dev still celebrates it like it was yesterday. On the anniversary of India’s historic 1983 World Cup win, the former skipper welcomed some of his teammates home for a quiet, joyful celebration.Bottles of champagne were bubbled, smiles were exchanged, and memories of that unforgettable summer’s evening at Lord’s came flooding back.

Proud looking Kapil was seen pouring some champagne into glasses and behind on the table was the original World Cup trophy shining brightly. The room itself was a story bats from his playing days, framed photos of the 1983 team and that energy only true champions possess. It wasn’t loud, it wasn’t flashy but it was full of heart.

That day June 25, 1983 is etched into the soul of Indian cricket. No one expected India to win. They were underdogs in every sense of the word. But Kapil’s men believed when no one else did. Beating the mighty West Indies in the final wasn't just a win it was a revolution. And 42 years later, that spark still lives on in every cheer, every memory, every toast.

Watch the Video:  

pic.twitter.com/7UwCS2pYbD

— Rameshwar Singh (@RSingh6969a) June 26, 2025

 June 25, 1983: The Day Indian Cricket Changed Forever — When Underdogs Became Legends
 

The journey to the final wasn’t easy. India kicked things off with a surprising win against West Indies, only to face setbacks against Australia and West Indies again in the group stage. But they bounced back strong — beating Zimbabwe and Australia to storm into the semis. In the knockout against England, they played fearless cricket and booked their spot in the final.

In the title clash at Lord’s, defending just 183, India pulled off the impossible. They bowled out the West Indies for 140. That win that moment didn’t just bring home a trophy. It made India believe. And as Kapil Dev raised a glass 42 years later, surrounded by the very men who made it happen, it was clear: that victory still means everything.

June 25, 1983—a date when the Asian Giant was awake and the King was dethroned. It was then the biggest upset in cricket when Michael Holding departed and the mighty West Indies halted for 140 against India's 183—India won the World Cup—1983 World Cup. 

Before the final, it was like a repeat telecast of the first two World Cups when the West Indies proved their dominance and won the highest trophy of cricket back-to-back. Under Clive Lloyd's leadership, the Caribbeans, like before, cruised into the final match of '83. When India somehow managed the other spot in the final, on pen and paper the match was like between David and Goliath. 

Batting first, team India managed to get only 183 on the scoreboard in 60 overs. The fierce bowling attack of the West Indies, with Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, and Joel Garner, simply demolished the Indian batting line-up. The house-full Lord's Cricket Ground was ready to witness another dominating performance by the West Indies in the title-decider contest.

Read More: Big Breaking! RCB list for player releasing out ahead of IPL 2026

Kapil Dev's catch and the wicket of Sir Vivian Richards 

Sir Viv Richards, considered as the most dangerous and hard-hitting batsman, came to bat in the crease at number three and got off to a perfect ignition. He was toying with India's medium-pace bowling lineup until Madan Lal delivered a slower one when West Indies was on 57. Richards mistimed the shot, and Captain Kapil Dev, on mid-on, took an iconic catch under pressure, keeping his head cool. With 7 boundaries and a 117.85 strike rate, Viv departed for 33. 

The defending champion still had a fair amount of chances to win the match, and by then, India got the extra self-belief they needed to pull out the greatest upset that no one saw coming. Clive Lloyd, Larry Gomes, Faoud Bacchus, Jeff Dujon... all came and went. The tiny target of 183 is registered in the history book. Mohinder Amarnath was selected for the man of the match award for his 3-wicket spell and 26 runs with the bat. 

The Indian team has entered a new phase as India is up against England under the captaincy of a new skipper, Shubman Gill. Whenever the Indian team has played against the Three Lions in England, we have witnessed some exciting moments.

In this article, we discuss three Indian bowlers who have claimed the highest wickets in testing and challenging English conditions. The bowlers mentioned in the list have showcased ice-cool temperament and used their bowling skills cleverly to outfox the English batters. We discuss these bowlers in detail:

1.Ishant Sharma (51 Wickets in 15 Tests)

Ishant Sharma has bowled well in seaming English conditions as the pacer has claimed 51 wickets in 15 tests that he has played in England against England. During the Lord's test in July 2014, he registered figures of 7/74 in the second innings, helping India win by 95 runs.

Sharma troubled English batters with his swing, pace and bounce as he used his length to good effect. He claimed 18 wickets during the 2018 tour of England and toured England four times.

2. Kapil Dev (43 Wickets in 13 Tests)

Former India all-rounder showcased impressive skills when it came to causing problems with his clever outswingers or leg cutters. He could generate pace even on slow wickets. The former India captain toured England four times with two five-wicket hauls.

He registered his best figures of 5/125 during the Lord's Test in June 1982. Kapil Dev claimed 43 wickets in 13 tests he played in England against England. The Haryana Hurricane, as he was fondly called during his playing days, claimed 16 wickets during India's tour of England.

3. Mohammad Shami (42 Wickets in 14 Tests)

Mohammad Shami has produced some impressive performances with his clever seam movements combined with his pace in testing English conditions. The 36-year-old pacer toured England three times, claiming 42 wickets in 14 tests. 

Shami registered his best bowling figures in tests in England in 2014 when he registered figures of 4/57 at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. During the 2018 series, he registered 16 wickets in 5 tests.