Arun Dhumal, the BCCI Treasurer and IPL Chairman, expressed surprise at England’s swift collapse within three days in the fifth Test against India, despite being provided with optimal conditions in Dharamsala. Despite expectations of a stronger performance from England due to the similarity of conditions to those in their homeland, they suffered an innings defeat, resulting in India’s dominant 4-1 series victory.
While refraining from dubbing the Indian team as unbeatable, Dhumal commended the squad’s depth, particularly highlighting the impressive contributions of youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and Sarfaraz Khan in the absence of key players like Virat Kohli, K L Rahul, and Mohammed Shami.
Dhumal said: “It’s been a phenomenal series, if you have seen the way it started, it was a 1-1 tie and the way it then progressed, the kind of performance that has been given by Team India is phenomenal.”
“I think somehow English players could not apply themselves, even though we had given the best of English conditions, in terms of pitch, outfield, weather. unfortunately, they could not capitalise on that, but that happens in any game, and I am sure they will come back.”
“See the kind of talent that we have, we have seen, even if the best of players are out of the team, somebody else would come as a replacement, they have done a phenomenal job and I am sure the Indian team will go from strength to strength on the way forward.”
Additionally, Dhumal defended the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association against criticisms of poor outfield conditions leading up to the final Test, suggesting that such criticisms were unjust. Overall, Dhumal’s remarks underscore the unexpected turn of events in the final Test, India’s depth in talent, and the need to appreciate the quality of cricket displayed despite initial concerns over playing conditions.
Dhumal concluded by saying: “That was primarily because of the weather conditions. You would have seen, the kind of outfield that we have given, and everybody appreciated that this is the world’s best outfield.
“I am very thankful to the HPCA officials, they worked very hard overnight to get this kind of outfield, and it was a phenomenal effort by everyone.”
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