The ongoing India-England Test series has not only delivered high-intensity cricket but also provided a platform for several players to step out of the shadows, especially after a taxing IPL season. As the series has unfolded, a few who were not seen as standout performers in the IPL have risen to the occasion in the longer format. Let's take a look at three such players who have emerged as vital contributors for India (Photos: BCCI/AFP)
Updated On: 2025-07-14 07:09 PM IST
Compiled by : Srijanee Majumdar
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja continues to be a cornerstone of India’s Test team, excelling with both bat and ball. Though his performances in white-ball cricket remain notable, his influence in the IPL has dipped recently. His strike rate with the bat has been a concern, and his bowling returns have been inconsistent for CSK over the past two seasons (Photo: BCCI)
Still, in Test cricket, Jadeja remains a force. He has already notched up three half-centuries in the current series, with most of those innings coming in high-pressure situations. He is currently batting on 97-ball 36, with Jasprit Bumrah by his side.
Akash Deep
Akash Deep proved to be India’s standout performer in the Edgbaston Test, picking up a remarkable 10 wickets in the match. On a surface that offered little assistance to pacers, the right-arm seamer extracted movement and bounce to trouble England’s batters throughout. His performance ensured that India did not feel the absence of their spearhead Bumrah. This breakthrough performance has firmly established Deep as a valuable asset in India’s red-ball setup (Photo: BCCI)
In stark contrast, his 2025 IPL campaign was underwhelming. He featured in just six matches, taking only three wickets. Struggling for rhythm and consistency, he conceded runs at a high economy rate of 12.05. The management’s lack of faith in him was evident, and his overall IPL record remains modest (Photo: BCCI)
Washington Sundar
Another player who has quietly made his presence felt in the Test arena is Washington Sundar. Overlooked for the majority of IPL 2025, Sundar played only six matches for Gujarat Titans, picking up two wickets and scoring 133 runs. Even when selected, he wasn’t entrusted with completing his four-over quota (Photo: BCCI)
However, in Test cricket, Sundar has shown his worth. He contributed significantly at Edgbaston and followed it up with a match-defining spell at Lord’s, where he claimed four wickets in the second innings to help dismiss England for just 192
