Shane Warne lauds Team India for their spirited performance in England Test series

Former Australian cricketer Shane Warne reckoned that the players and viewers have been “robbed” off an exciting finish after the fifth Test between India and England at the Old Trafford in Manchester had to be cancelled due to COVID-19. The series was poised for an exciting ending after India took an unassailable 2-1 lead following their victory in the fourth Test at the Kennington Oval in London.

The Brits also had a decent record in Manchester, having won 12 out of their last 15 Tests at the venue since 2002. Warne also stated that India were the better of the two teams in the series. The World No.2 Test team lost the Leeds Test by an innings and 76. However, with victories at the Lord’s and Oval, Virat Kohli and Co. have given an account of their sheer talent in red-ball cricket.

“I feel for the players. Both sides were up for it and I can tell that by the way the series has been played. India left the series 2-1. Being the No. 1 Test side was their goal. They wanted to beat England in England… in swinging and seaming conditions with the Dukes ball. So, they sort of felt like they ticked every box,” Warne told Sky Cricket.

Thank you to India for pushing Test cricket: Shane Warne

Back in December 2020, India lost the Adelaide Test after being restricted to 36 in their second innings. Thereafter, they came back to win the Test series 2-1 despite a plethora of issues during the tour. India were led by Ajinkya Rahane after Kohli left following the Adelaide Test. Warne lauded Team India for setting new benchmarks in Test cricket and expressed gratitude to the 32-year-old Kohli.

“I saw India first-hand this year in Australia play some amazing Test cricket. They got bowled out for 36 in the first Test and they came back and won the next. Virat Kohli went home, they lost their captain, they had injuries.

“Australia hadn’t lost a Test match in Brisbane for 40 years. They chased over 300 to win. I just saw it first-hand how determined they were. I think all of us have to say Thank You to Virat Kohli, thank you to India for pushing Test cricket,” he added.