After six pulsating weeks of top-class cricket, England head coach Brendon McCullum admitted that the 2-2 scoreline in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was a fair reflection of a series that pushed both teams to the edge. Speaking candidly to Sky Sports, McCullum praised the competitive spirit that defined the five-Test marathon and tipped his hat to Mohammed Siraj for delivering a knockout blow in a breathtaking finale at The Oval.
The fifth Test had all the makings of a classic: England walked in with a 2-1 lead, needing just a draw to clinch the series, while a resilient Indian side, led by Shubman Gill, was desperate to level the ledger. After opting to bowl first, England restricted India to 224 — a total salvaged largely by Karun Nair. But India roared back through Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, dismissing the hosts for 247.
India’s second innings was a batting exhibition. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s classy century laid the foundation, while half-centuries from Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Akash Deep propelled the visitors to 396, setting England a daunting target of 374.
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At 106/3, India were on top. But Joe Root and Harry Brook turned the tide with twin hundreds that had England inching closer to victory. When Day 5 began, the hosts needed only 35 runs with four wickets in hand. What followed was one of the finest fightbacks in Indian Test history. Siraj, the lion-hearted pacer, took five wickets — including the final scalp — while Prasidh Krishna added four more, sparking joyous celebrations as India secured a famous six-run win.
McCullum, despite the heartbreak, was effusive in his praise for the quality of cricket on show.
“That is the best five-match Test series I have ever been a part of or witnessed,” he remarked. “It oscillated so much across six weeks — there was hostility, camaraderie, moments of brilliance, and some average cricket due to pressure. Both teams were tested physically and mentally far more than we imagined.”
He reserved special admiration for Mohammed Siraj’s final-day spell.
“When Siraj took that final wicket, as disappointed as I was, I couldn’t help but admire the fight and fire he brought. The way he finished things off was extraordinary. A 2-2 result feels right — it was that close.” McCullum also spoke glowingly of England’s injured captain Ben Stokes, calling him “a once-in-a-generation cricketer.”
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“Stokes is just different. He absorbs pressure like no one I’ve ever seen. Whether it’s with the bat or ball, or simply through sheer willpower, he makes things happen. Sometimes it means taking himself to dark places physically, and that’s led to injuries — but that’s also why he’s so special. I’d never want him to change.”
Looking ahead to the Ashes, McCullum hinted that Stokes will be back, ready to give it everything once again.
