Shane Warne Praises Virat Kohli And Indian Team For Another Outstanding England Test Series

Shane Warne Felt A Bit Robbed That The 5th Test Didn’t Go Ahead As He Felt The Series Was An Outstanding One

India was leading the five-match series 2-1 having won the second and fourth Test respectively and were on the verge of their first Test series win in England after 14 years. However, COVID-19 jeopardized their chances of pulling off a historic win against the hosts in their own backyard.

The abrupt end to the Test series left several fans, experts, and former cricketers of the cricket fraternity disappointed including Shane Warne, who said he felt robbed as he doffed his hat to Virat Kohli and his Indian team for putting on a show in the Test rubber.

“I just feel a bit robbed. I feel this series has been absolutely outstanding. I take my hat off to India with the cricket they played. I think both sides have played in the right spirits. So I think we all feel a little bit robbed that this Test match didn’t go ahead. If they were in the middle of a Test match or delayed it by a couple of days, that means the flow-on effect with the IPL and everything else is going to be thrown into chaos so I’m not sure they are left with any other option,” Shane Warne said on Sky Cricket.

Shane Warne said India ticked all the boxes in the Test series and saluted their desire to beat England in England irrespective of the swinging and seaming conditions.The first Test of the series ended in a draw, after more than two days of play was lost across the duration of the match to rain. India won the second Test by 151 runs, in the final hour of the fifth day, to take a 1–0 lead in the series. England won the third Test by an innings and 76 runs before the lunch break on day four, levelling the series 1–1. India won the fourth Test by 157 runs, to lead the series 2–1 before the 5th Test was cancelled.

Shane Warne Feel For The Players As The Tests Meant A Lot To Both The Sides

The Aussie legend hailed the visitors for showcasing their desire to be the no.1 Test team in the world and conquering English conditions after back-to-back Test series wins in Australia.

“I feel for the players. Both sides were up for it and I can tell that by the way the series has been played. This Test series meant a lot to both sides. India left the series 2-1. Being the No. 1 Test side was their goal. They wanted to beat England in England… in swinging and seaming conditions with the Dukes’ ball. So, they sort of felt like they ticked every box. They would have liked to go out on a high,” Shane Warne said.

“I saw India first hand this year in Australia play some amazing Test cricket. Just remember… they got bowled out for 36 in the first Test match and they came back and won the next. Virat Kohli went back home, they lost their captain, they had injuries. Australia hadn’t lost a Test match in Brisbane for 40 years.

“They chased over 300 to win. I just saw it firsthand how determined they were… how important Test cricket is. I think all of us have to say Thank You to Virat Kohli, thank you to India for pushing Test cricket,” he added.

Virat Kohli & Co. were a draw away from sealing the Test series against England. It would have been India’s first Test series win on English soil since 2014. BCCI has assured the England Cricket Board (ECB) of conducting the Test match at a later date next year to ensure a thrilling end to a riveting series.