Dinesh Karthik revealed that Brendon McCullum wanted to nominate Mohammed Siraj for the Player of the Series (POTS) title. However, he wasn’t able to change his original decision to mark it to Shubman Gill.
Dinesh Karthik, a former Indian cricketer, revealed recently some insights. English coach Brendon McCullum wanted Siraj, not Shubman Gill, to be his Player of the Series (POTS). This choice was made after the oval test ended on Monday.
Right after the fourth day, Karthik explained, Gill was McCullum’s first choice. He told it to Mike Atherton, the English broadcaster hosting the presentation. McCullum changed his choice after Siraj’s spell won India the last Test to level the series.
However, by that time already questions and presentation were prepared with Gill as the POTS.
Also read: Shubman Gill: A New Era Dawns in Indian Test Cricket
Karthik told Cricbuzz, “If the match had extended beyond Day 4, Shubman Gill would have been the standout player. He would have been recognized as the man of the series.” He added, “Brendon McCullum had already mentioned Shubman Gill. Since Atherton was handling the presentation, he had all his questions prepared accordingly. Everything was focused on Shubman Gill.”
Karthik Candid on Siraj
“The match ended on Day 5. Baz McCullum changed the narrative in just half an hour to 40 minutes against Mohammed Siraj,” Karthik continued. “He even praised Siraj in the post-match interview with Sky Sports. He expressed how much he enjoyed watching Siraj bowl and also shared many thoughtful remarks about him.”
McCullum indeed was impressed form Siraj’s game – changing abilities. “He’s got that spirit you want to see in a fast bowler,” McCullum had said. “Every time he had the ball in hand, there was energy. You could see how much it meant to him. It was one of those spells that can change a series, and today, it really did.”
Karthik added that Siraj could come up and lead India’s win in the last two Tests. This showed that he could now rise ‘beyond’ the senior quick.
“This is a five-Test match series where bat has dominated the ball,” Karthik said. “It’s been hard work. This boy has been running in every day of the series. When given the ball, he bowls with all his heart. When Bumrah didn’t play, Siraj stepped up and showed what it takes to win. It’s obviously no reflection on Bumrah. Because he is such a genius that you rely so much on Jasprit Bumrah to do the goods. But the fact is that when he wasn’t around, Mohamed Siraj stepped up. Showed what it takes to win. You know, I think he can now rise beyond,” he added.
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