There were many players who had a big influence on the outcome of the series, but I want to focus on three from each side who I believe had a massive impact over the course of the series.

Mohammed Siraj

Probably the most important player for India in terms of impact was Mohammed Siraj. He was just outstanding in so many ways. First of all, he has a massive heart. The final hour of play in the series kind of summed up his overall influence and how crucial he was as an individual. Siraj is the kind of player who always wants the ball in hand, always wants to be involved in the big moments. Beyond his individual performance, there’s a secondary layer of influence—his self-belief, his determination, and his desire to be in the battle seem to rub off on his teammates.

He’s got a talismanic presence, similar to what Andrew Flintoff once brought to England. That attitude of “give me the ball, let me change the game” defines him. Playing all five Test matches, going the full five days, showed not just skill but incredible endurance. Sure, at times the batting unit gave him the chance to rest, but in a five-match series, that’s expected. His lion-hearted displays, the threat he brought with the ball, and his feisty nature will stay with me for a long, long time. He clearly feeds off the contest—if you’re an opponent, you probably want to avoid firing him up, because that’s when he’s at his best.

Shubman Gill

Then there’s Shubman Gill. Of course, the runs speak for themselves—four big hundreds and several strong scores. Before the series started, I said one key factor would be whether Gill could manage his responsibilities as captain while ensuring his batting remained influential. He’s clearly done that. Whether that’s with the help of the coach or senior players, I’m not sure, but he’s managed to keep batting as his main focus and has led from the front.

From a captaincy perspective, it’s early days. He’s a young captain, and some of his decision-making will naturally evolve. But what stood out was his calmness on the final morning. He looked assured, in control, with no visible signs of panic or anxiety—I can tell this as I was watching the game live from the ground. Whether he was actually calm inside or not, only he knows, but the composure he displayed was a strong measure of his leadership.

There’s clearly a good balance between him and coach Gautam Gambhir. That relationship is vital. Gill appears calm and composed on the outside, while Gambhir possibly brings the fiery edge inside the dressing room. That dual dynamic looks like it works well. One area where both Gill and Gambhir might reflect on is team selection. I don’t think they got it right consistently across the series. If they had, they might have won it. Kuldeep Yadav, for example, never played any match. I also felt they focused too much on batting depth and not enough on including incisive bowlers capable of taking 20 wickets, especially on the flatter wickets of the first four Tests. The balance was a bit off, even if conditions in the final match favored the bowlers.

KL Rahul

Finally, KL Rahul—a colossus in every way. He brought patience, technique, and attitude, all of which underpinned a very consistent and solid performance. He created a real fear factor for England’s bowlers, and his presence at the top seemed to benefit Yashasvi Jaiswal as well, allowing him to assert himself more confidently.

Rahul’s leadership, while unofficial, likely provided great strength for Gill on the field. I’ve said it before the series and I’ll say it again—it’s astonishing to me that Rahul isn’t opening in all formats. In this format especially, he’s absolutely vital. Importantly, he didn’t abuse his form. Over five Tests, players can naturally dip, but Rahul maintained focus, starting every innings with intent, regardless of previous scores. That mindset—that each innings counts—really stood out.

Ben Stokes

As far as England goes, Ben Stokes stands tall. There is no better captain in world cricket right now. His empathy, understanding, and tactical nous are second to none. England looked noticeably weaker when he wasn’t there in the final Test. Not only was he their best bowler throughout the series—a concern for England but a testament to Stokes—he also closed the series strongly with a brilliant hundred.

Stokes is absolutely central to England’s Test setup. His partnership with coach Brendon McCullum is another example of a critical coach-captain bond. They work things out together, complement each other, and are totally aligned. That synergy is what keeps England ticking.

Joe Root

Joe Root is the pillar of England’s batting. For any bowler facing England, he’s the big wicket. Root has the ability to bat long and change the course of a match. What’s inspiring is that even with 39 Test hundreds under his belt, he still loves the game. He still trains harder than anyone else and hasn’t lost his hunger or drive. He’s not done yet—he’s still dreaming and he is still improving.

Needless to say, for any opposition playing England, he is their main man. You get Root and you have a chance. That kind of pressure he carries—being the prized wicket every time—shouldn’t be underestimated. He handles that pressure well. His dismissal always shifts the momentum of an innings—he carries that weight, and does it superbly. We just cannot get enough of watching Root bat all day, and he is that kind of a player.

Ben Duckett

Ben Duckett deserves immense credit. He sets the tone right at the start—dangerous, unorthodox, and fearless. Bowlers find him difficult to control. Even good balls go for four. That mindset shift puts pressure on the opposition right away. He forces bowlers into mistakes by punishing anything off line or length, and he’s devastating when given width or pace to work with.

He’s also excellent against spin—awkward, inventive, and hard to contain. He doesn’t just challenge bowlers to dismiss him; he forces them to focus on slowing the run rate. That kind of aggressive pressure changes the way bowling units function.

His innings in the first Test at Headingley was a masterclass in attacking Test cricket. He thrives under pressure, and he has the full backing of the leadership team in Stokes and McCullum.