As India entered into the highly anticipated five-Test series against England in 2025, expectations amongst the media and public were high. The visitors had form, firepower, and an exciting young nucleus that seemed like it could tear apart an English team in transition as it searched for its own Test identity. Ultimately, the series ended in an irritating draw, at 2–2. Not a failure, but as former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar stated, this should have been a comfortable 3–1 victory for the visitors. So, what was the issue? Much of the blame has landed on Gambhir’s doorstep, thanks to his head-scratching tactical calls.
The Kuldeep Yadav Conundrum
Sometimes, Test cricket is about basics: play your best eleven, back your form players, and adapt to conditions. Yet Gambhir’s decision to bench Kuldeep Yadav throughout the series remains baffling. England’s batting lineup had struggled historically against quality wrist-spin, and Kuldeep was coming off an impressive run in the months leading up to the tour. Instead, India relied heavily on Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar as their spin options, while leaving their most attacking spinner in the dugout.
This wasn’t just about missing a wicket-taker—it was about not using a weapon England had no clear plan for. In a contest where margins were tight and sessions swung back and forth, Kuldeep’s absence felt like India tying one hand behind their back. Against an English attack that lacked venom, this was a golden chance to press the advantage. Instead, the opportunity slipped away.
Bumrah’s Pre-Announced Workload – A Psychological Blow?
In giving notice of the change in advance, India essentially afforded the opposition a sop: they knew when India’s premier bowling threat was missing. This is a luxury not to be offered. Bumrah nevertheless bowled nearly 120 overs for 14 wickets, but even the surprise absence in those two key tests changed the series dynamic.
What if Bumrah had been fielded during one of India’s wobblier periods of the series? For most of the series, both teams were afforded a considerable measure of comfort in the absence of India’s spearhead. While Gambhir may have thought overdue, it felt much more like self-harm in the context of the brevity of a highly charged series against your arch-rivals.
The Silver Lining – Young Batters Step Up Big Time
Gill, especially, had a memorable series, culminating with 754 runs and as the top run-maker. One played with grit carved from stone, the other with fire forged from instinct—and that blend kept England guessing. Add Siraj’s 23 wickets, and you could be convinced India’s next generation has the temperament and ability to dominate its red-ball cricket for years to come.
But there is a big twist: the brilliance of these youngsters makes the “what ifs” hurt even more. With slightly better selections and bolder tactics, India could have gone from “impressive” to “historic.”
So, my question to you is this: was this series a launching pad for the next crop of Indian youngsters, or was it a missed opportunity that will be synonymous with Gambhir’s bizarre methods?
FAQs on India’s 2025 Test Series vs England
- Who was India’s top run-scorer in the ENG vs IND 2025 series?
Shubman Gill led the charts with 754 runs across the five Tests.
- What positives did India take from the series?
The biggest positives were the performances of young batters like Jaiswal, Gill, Rahul, and Pant, who proved they could handle tough conditions.
- Was a 2–2 result a fair reflection of the series?
Not really—many believe India should have won 3–1 given the form of their batters and bowlers.
