ENG vs IND 2025: 'Brisbane win bigger than the one in Oval for India' - Saba Karim

India's biggest wins in Test cricket in recent years were the one against Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane in 2021, and the other against England at The Oval in London earlier this month. Both victories will be remembered by Indian cricket aficionados for a very long time, as the team showcased a never-say-die attitude.

Saba Karim, who had been doing commentary duties in both games, rated the Brisbane win above the one in London. While the former national selector noted that India were without some of their experienced stars in both matches, the win in Brisbane came against a much stronger bowling side in difficult batting conditions.

“Brisbane was bigger. It had never ever happened before in Australia and that also with a very young side, with most of the regulars injured on the sidelines. For India to script that kind of a win was unbelievable.  And generally, I think that's how you see a growth of a side- when you're able to do well and win matches, even when one or two of your regular players are not available. Even in this Test match, for that matter, we didn't have Jasprit Bumrah, we didn't have Rishabh Pant, still we went out and won the last Test match. If you draw comparisons, let me talk about the Australia draw first. Australian draw was more difficult because the conditions were more variable and then you're against a top quality bowling attack. It was so good to see the batting display, that kind of zeal, that kind of rear guard action. England was different because one had to battle for a longer duration of time to script a draw and I think," Karim said while speaking on NDTV's Tea Toast and Sports podcast.

Saba Karim feels England won the critical sessions in 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy

Karim said that some Indian fans will feel that the Shubman Gill-led side could have won the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which eventually ended 2-2. The former India wicketkeeper opined that while India won more sessions in the series than England, the Three Lions owned the more critical ones.

“In the end, I am sure that there is a strong feeling in the Indian side that they could have won the Test series.  Because the number of sessions India won in the entire series is higher than what England could achieve. What England was able to do is that win those important or those critical sessions. And I think the turnaround from England's perspective was more than the Indian side. And I think that is why we were able to draw the series," Karim said.