India's Oval miracle bigger than Gabba win? Saba Karim makes bold claim

Saba Karim, former wicketkeeper and seasoned commentator, has hailed India’s recent five-match Test series in England as a glowing chapter in the national team’s journey, calling it a “magical summer” after the young side levelled the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2.

Despite missing star players like Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant, the young Indian cricket team managed to deliver a stunning performance under pressure and thrashed England by six runs in the fifth and final Test at The Oval. With this memorable victory, they levelled the Test series 2-2.

Saba Karim calls India’s England tour a ‘Magical Summer’

The match was nail-biting, but Mohammed Siraj held his nerve and got the final wicket to serve a complete entertainment package for the fans. But when it comes to India’s greatest overseas achievement, Saba Karim still picked the Brisbane Test victory back in 2021.

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That famous win at the Gabba came when the Indian cricket team was injury-hit, as they were facing the mighty Australians without almost their entire frontline attack and key batters. But the bunch of fearless youngsters pulled off the unthinkable, breaching Australia's fortress after 32 years.

Saba Karim was in the commentary box during both Test series in Australia and England, and the former selector feels India’s Brisbane Test victory was tougher due to Pat Cummins-led team’s top-quality bowling attack and unpredictable conditions.

Brisbane was bigger than the Oval victory: Saba Karim

However, the former BCCI official was also in awe of India’s fight at The Oval, especially when the team united to take the last four wickets on the final day to secure the series-levelling win over England. However, Karim feels Brisbane was a turning point when a young Indian cricket team silenced critics and showed that they could win anywhere, even without their big stars.

Saba Karim said on NDTV's Tea, Toast, and Sports podcast, “Brisbane was bigger. It had never ever happened before in Australia, and that was also with a very young side, with most of the regulars injured on the sidelines. For India to script that kind of a win was unbelievable. If you draw comparisons, let me talk about the Australia draw first.

The Australian draw was more difficult because the conditions were more variable, and then you're up against a top-quality bowling attack. It was so good to see the batting display, that kind of zeal, that kind of rear-guard action. England was different because one had to battle for a longer duration of time to script a draw, and I think.”

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Saba Karim feels India missed a golden chance to win the England Test series

Meanwhile, the India versus England Test series ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, but the numbers tell a deeper story. Reflecting on the scoreline, Karim said that India had the edge overall but missed key moments. While England capitalized on critical phases, India will feel they had enough chances to win the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England.

Saba signed off by saying, “In the end, I am sure that there is a strong feeling on the Indian side that they could have won the Test series. Because the number of sessions India won in the entire series is higher than what England could achieve. What England was able to do was win those important or those critical sessions. And I think the turnaround from England's perspective was more than from the Indian side. And I think that is why we were able to draw the series.”