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The cricketing world is still buzzing with excitement following England’s spectacular triumph over India in the opening Test at Hyderabad. The unexpected victory has sparked discussions and predictions about the outcome of the five-match Test series, and one of the most notable voices in this discourse is none other than veteran English spinner Monty Panesar.
In a recent interview with ANI, Panesar shared his insights on England’s performance in the first Test, praised the heroes of the match, and made a bold prediction that has caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts around the globe.
The heroes of the Hyderabad Test
England’s victory in Hyderabad showcased the resilience and skill of two standout players, Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley. When the odds seemed stacked against England, Pope played a heroic innings, accumulating a magnificent 196 runs. Hartley, on the other hand, played a pivotal role in the fourth innings, claiming seven crucial wickets to secure the victory for his team. Their exceptional performances not only turned the tide of the match but also laid the foundation for Panesar’s audacious prediction.
Monty Panesar predicts the scoreline of the Test series
In his conversation with ANI, Panesar didn’t hold back in expressing his admiration for Pope and Hartley. He acknowledged their Herculean efforts and suggested that if these two players continue to perform at such a high level, England has the potential to create history by whitewashing India 5-0 in the series. Panesar’s bold prediction reflects the confidence and optimism surging through the English cricketing landscape after their victory in Hyderabad.
“If Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley continue to play like this it will be a whitewash, it will be 5-0 for England. It can happen if Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley play like this,” said Panesar.
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Panesar reflects on the value of England’s win in Hyderabad
Panesar went on to emphasize the significance of England’s triumph in Hyderabad, comparing it to the feeling of winning a World Cup. The unexpected success has injected a new sense of belief and enthusiasm into the English team, and Panesar believes that this momentum can carry them through the entire series.
Critical assessment of Rohit Sharma’s captaincy
Notably, Panesar also did not shy away from offering a critical assessment of Rohit Sharma‘s captaincy in the first Test. He termed Sharma as “clueless” during certain phases of the match, highlighting areas where the Indian skipper may have faltered.
“It is a very big victory, no one even imagined this was even possible. Everyone thought that England would lose after a 190 deficit but Ollie Pope had a brilliant inning one of the best innings we have seen in a long time and Rohit Sharma was clueless,” highlighted the former spinner.
“It was one of the most famous victories England have ever produced overseas. This is big news in England. It feels like we have won the World Cup,” he added.
