Harbhajan takes a dig at Vaughan and other English experts over Test series prediction: 'I would tell them to look...'

Indian spin legend Harbhajan Singh took aim at former England captain Michael Vaughan over the latter’s prediction ahead of the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Vaughan, who had led England to a famous victory in the 2005 Ashes, had predicted a 3-1 victory for the Ben Stokes-led hosts in the five-match series.

The prediction, however, was proven wrong on Day 5 of the series finale at The Oval in London as an inspired spell from Mohammed Siraj helped India bowl England out for 367 and collect a six-run victory – their narrowest in Test cricket – leveling the series 2-2 in the process.

“I feel there is a big win hidden for India here. Yes, the scoreline shows 2-2. Michael Vaughan and many others predicted that it would be 3-1 or 3-0. I would tell them to look towards their side a bit and where England cricket stands. Our warriors have shown the level of Indian cricket,” Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.

‘Bhajji’ further heaped praise on the Gill-led squad for “creating history” in the absence of stalwarts such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin. While Ashwin had retired from international cricket midway during the tour of Australia, Kohli and Rohit had quit the Test format in May.

“Unbelievable Test match and the way India have played the series, they deserve praise. When the team went to England, many people said it was young and there were no seniors. But see how the young team created history,” he added.

How Team India proved Vaughan’s prediction wrong at The Oval

India were facing the prospect of a 3-1 series loss on the penultimate day of the fifth Test at The Oval after Harry Brook and Joe Root struck centuries and forged a 195-run stand for the fourth wicket taking England to 301/3 in their chase of a challenging 374-run target.

Akash Deep’s dismissal of Brook, who had been handed a lifeline by Siraj on 19 earlier in the chase, as well as Prasidh Krishna’s twin-strike shortly before stumps, rekindled India’s hopes in the closing stages of the penultimate day.

Day 5 began with England needing 35 runs to win and India four wickets . Siraj put the visitors in pole position by dismissing overnight batters Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton in successive overs.

Prasidh then castled Josh Tongue before Siraj sealed one of the greatest triumphs in Indian cricket history by castling Gus Atkinson, who nearly took England home in the company of an injured Chris Woakes.