Ind vs Eng 5th Test: Here's to our unsung heroes of the Indian cricket team

The last day of the fifth Test mdash and the series mdash felt like a trial by fireThe boys who left India as promising talents returned as men Under pressure they didnrsquot just survive they stood tall This was not just about runs and wickets It was about characterHats off to SirajWhat stood out most was how our pacers handled the heat In moments that test your nerves the team that stays calm digs deep and absorbs pressure usually wins or in this case walks away with something even bigger than a win mdash pride And speaking of pridemdashHats off to Siraj With Bumrah missing Siraj didnrsquot just bowl mdash he led He carried the attack and the pressure This Test matured him not just as a bowler but also asa leaderPrasidh had a tough start Maybe it was nerves maybe he was just trying too hard He bowled too short banged it in leaked runs When he tried pitching it up he overdid that too But the best part is that he learned On Day 5 under immense pressure he adjusted hit that good length and stayed in the fight I remember back in the day coaches and senior bowlers would always say ldquoWhen the ball is moving keep it closer to the batsman stick to that offstump line But when therersquos no movement you adjust by pulling your length back a littlerdquo Thatrsquos how most legendary bowlers operated on English pitches Kapil Dev in particular used the short ball not just as a weapon but also as a setup creating doubt forcing the batter to come forward late which made negotiating the moving ball even tougherIn our formative years mdash the 70s and 80s mdash I remember reading interviews of bowlers like Englandrsquos Mike Hendrick and Australiarsquos Graham McKenzie Their advice on green tops was always clear ldquoDonrsquot get carried away Just bowl a good length Let the pitch and the seam do the workrdquoYoung pacers from the subcontinent often see the grass and bounce and go all out But the real magic lies in control And thatrsquos exactly what Siraj showed His ability to bowl scrambled seam deliveries that just move enough his upright action that helps the ball nip back all this is highskill stuff Hersquos now developed that feel so when the ball leaves the fingers just right it listens Yoursquove got to trust your intent and let the ball do the talking Bowling good length is the biggest lesson from this match Thatrsquos what troubled batters on both sidesThe quicker you adjust the better you perform Our bowlers figured it out just in time mdash on Day 5 mdash when it mattered mostRootrsquos wicket pivotalThe English batters stepped out smartly using attacking strokes judiciously not recklessly It was clever cricket They forced our bowlers to shorten their length which only made things easier for them Then came the turning point mdash Rootrsquos dismissal for 105 Until that moment England was firmly in control Sure Brook had already gifted us a chance with a loose shot on 111 But his dismissal shifted the energy Suddenly the pressure flipped We had afoot in the door mdash and we werenrsquot going to let it close againEngland was unlucky too Chris Woakes got injured But luck favours the brave when one takes his opponent head on and it did Bad light cut Day 4 short but for us that extra night was a gift It offered us time to regroup reset and come back fresh mdash with four wickets to take And boy did they rise Siraj like a lion Prasidh corrected his lines Shubman Gill mdash cool as ever mdash kept the boys calm even when nerves kicked in or catches went downAlso letrsquos not forget the unsung heroes Karun Nairrsquos gritty 57 Sai Sudharsanrsquos valuable 38 Akash Deeprsquos fighting 66 as nightwatchman Jadejarsquos vital 53 and Washingtonrsquos 26 with the tail which was pure gold He showed how to guide the lower order and absorb pressure while batting like a proper toporder player I genuinely believe he has the skills and temperament to bat at No 3 in Test cricketFrom boys to menIrsquom proud because this hopeful team left India as boys but returned as men This series has been one of the most thrilling rides wersquove had mdash on and off the field In this triumph echoes of a thousand silent prayers mdash by players by fans by the unseen hands that shaped them And yes mdash Gavaskar had messaged saying he hoped that the Indian team would give me the perfect birthday gift It came a day late but was totally worth the waitFinally this win is also for the Head Coach In fact for him itrsquos much more than a win itrsquos survivalThe author was part of Indiarsquos 1983 ODI World Cupwinning team