On a tense final day at The Oval, India’s young Test side pulled off a stunning 6-run victory over England to level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2. For all-rounder Shardul Thakur, the triumph was as much about belief as skill — and he credited head coach Gautam Gambhir for instilling it.
Thakur praised Gambhir’s influence. “We have always seen him as a player who is willing to fight for the team, and even during the huddles, he transferred that energy into us. He is an achiever who has won trophies for the nation and the state. Criticism will come and go, but as a team, winning matters, and I believe we are heading in the right direction,” he said.
India’s task was daunting. Without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have retired from Test cricket, and with Mohammed Shami unavailable, the side leaned on Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj for leadership. KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant provided batting experience, but much of the squad was made up of hungry youngsters.
“When your backs are against the wall, there is no going back, and that was the situation,” Thakur said. “This team had no other option than to rise and put up a fight, because at the end of the day, you are representing India.”
He revealed how Gambhir’s words lifted the side: “Even our team huddles had Gauti Bhai saying, ‘You are lucky to be representing your country.’ Maybe young, but we are here because of our talent. If you have the belief, then there is no opponent you cannot beat. If it’s your day, you can take any side down, based on how badly you want it.”
The final Test turned on the smallest of margins. England, chasing 241, needed just 35 runs on the last day with four wickets in hand. “What happened on day four was that the old ball still had its shine, and it was swinging, so it helped us to get those two crucial wickets of Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell. It was Joe Root’s wicket next, and then it was time for the next day,” Thakur recalled.
With Siraj and Prasidh Krishna leading the charge, India held their nerve. “Our huddle was plain and simple — Gauti Bhai asked us to keep the belief. Loads of credit go to Siraj and Prasidh for getting those important wickets and the way they pushed their bodies, especially Siraj after playing all five Tests. It was all about building pressure, and one of the teams had to falter. I feel India came out with flying colours,” Thakur said.
For him, the hunger of youth made the difference. “When youngsters are in the team, they would do anything to showcase their talent in front of the world. I guess that’s what lifted the morale of the team and kept us going.”
India’s six-run win not only secured a dramatic series draw but also signalled the beginning of a new era under Gambhir — one built on resilience, belief, and the refusal to back down.
