Less than a week since the epic India-England series ended, many of us are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Fortunately, there’s plenty of content online – podcasts, videos and blogs that help us relive what was arguably the most thrilling Test series in recent memory. Of the content we came across, we found that the essay that best captures the essence of the series was Osman Samiuddin’s “ Holy mackerel Batman, what did we just watch?”. Whilst we let you enjoy the piece, we feature another piece here – one by the legendary Aussie cricketer, Greg Chappell, as he writes about the series in the context of regime changes, a subject of much interest for us here in Marcellus. With stalwarts Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin retired, a new look young Indian side with a new young captain pulling off what they did, Chappell reckons this team has the makings of a great one over the years to come. He says this as he relates this to a similar transition the Australian cricket team went through in the early 70s, led by a new captain in his brother, Ian, coincidentally starting with an Ashes series levelling win at the Oval.
“Test cricket has a way of echoing through the decades. For those of us who played in or witnessed defining moments in cricket history, certain performances trigger memories of past turning points – moments when a team doesn’t just win a match but announces a new identity. India’s extraordinary comeback victory in the final Test of the 2025 series against England at The Oval was just such a moment.
It brought to mind, quite vividly for me, Australia’s 1972 Ashes draw under Ian Chappell. The last match in that series, also played at The Oval, also to level a series, sparked a generational shift in Australian cricket that would shape the coming decade.
The parallels are too strong to ignore.
In 1972, Australia arrived in England in a transitional phase. Bill Lawry had departed. Graham McKenzie, Ian Redpath – names synonymous with the preceding era – were gone. A young side, led by my brother, stood on the brink of the unknown. When we won the final Test to draw the series, with Dennis Lillee announcing his ascension to the Australian fast-bowling throne, we didn’t just save face. We established a tone – one of aggression, unity, and belief – that underpinned the golden era of the 1970s.
India in 2025 finds themselves at a similar inflection point. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin are all absent. Their replacements didn’t just fill gaps; they filled their boots and went on to create new ones. Shubman Gill, entrusted with the captaincy, brought a calm authority and youthful assertiveness.
… The win at The Oval, like Australia’s in 1972, was more than a statistical result. It was a statement. India’s young team – much like Australia’s back then – has shown that it is not waiting to inherit greatness. It is intent on creating its own legacy.
… This India-England series will long be remembered not just for the result, but for the theatre. The subplots. The redefinition of roles. Both sides were tested – physically, tactically, emotionally. But it was India who emerged as moral victors. They won clarity. Identity. Purpose.
Much like Australia at The Oval in 1972, India have drawn a line in the sand. They’ve told the cricketing world: “We are here. We are ready. And we are building something.”
For a sport that thrives on cycles and legacies, the echoes from The Oval – from 1972 to 2025 – may prove to be uncanny.
The baton has been passed. Siraj, Pant, Jaiswal, Washington and Gill, and this fearless young Indian team are itching to run with it.”
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