'He's the new Ravi Ashwin, and we've unearthed him' - Michael Vaughan effusive in praise of Shoaib Bashir after Ranchi exploits

Shoaib Bashir's magnificent bowling display in the Ranchi Test has left many in awe. Despite it being only his second Test match, Bashir showcased brilliance with the ball, as he secured eight crucial wickets. His standout performance included a remarkable five-wicket haul during India's first innings. The former England cricketer Michael Vaughan hailed Bashir's potential and compared him with veteran Ravichandran Ashwin.

Bashir's journey to the Indian shores wasn't devoid of drama, as visa complications saw him return to England initially, which caused him to miss the first Test in Hyderabad. However, his triumphant return in the fourth Test demonstrated his resilience and skill. Despite his heroics, England couldn't halt India's charge and succumbed to a narrow five-wicket defeat in Ranchi. The loss handed India an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series and sealed their victory with one match left to play.

"It's been a fantastic week for English cricket. One of the great weeks, celebrating another world-class superstar that we've unearthed, Shoaib Bashir. That's what we're celebrating. Second Test match, eight wickets, he's the new Ravi Ashwin, and we've unearthed him. So, we're celebrating a new superstar in English cricket," Vaughan said while speaking to Club Prairie Fire's YouTube channel.

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England have been the better team in the series: Vaughan

In the midst of England's setback in the Test series against India, Vaughan asserted that Ben Stokes and his team have showcased a commendable approach as they prioritized entertainment and talent discovery over series triumph. He highlighted England's shift in red-ball cricket philosophy, and emphasised fan engagement and talent exploration. Notably, this series loss marked a departure from England's successful stint under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum's leadership as Captain and Coach.

"I think it's going to be a fresh one in Dharamsala, so I expect England to win. They've been the better team in the series, as they were in the Ashes. If you go session by session, England have looked a better team. I'm saying looked a better team, but we don't play series now to win them. I think people have got to understand that the game of cricket has changed in the UK. We don't play to win them, we play to just bring entertainment, bring joy, and unearth new talent," he concluded.

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