After perhaps the most incredible Test series of recent times — England vs India — it’s time to look back at these two unforgettable months.
As a storyteller, the objective was, alongside the mainstream cricket narratives, to bring out stories that perhaps wouldn’t make the primary broadcast.
Here’s a look back at five such stories — ones that enriched me not just as a writer, but as a human being.
The Carnival at Headingley and the Yorkshire Kabin
India’s series started with a defeat — one that could have gone either way. But even in loss, the mood at Headingley offered a preview of what the rest of the series had in store.
From fans in IPL jerseys to Scooby-Doo costumes, the stands were drenched in colour. Beers and Pimm’s flowed freely, as people dressed as roadside cones played impromptu cricket during lunch and tea breaks.
The Headingley Carnival gave a true sense of the English cricket crowd to someone experiencing it for the first time — basking in the summer, soaking in the cricket, and becoming part of a larger celebration.
But perhaps the most heartwarming moment came from an interaction with Paul Rockett and Ben Sanders of the Yorkshire County Cricket Club Supporters’ Association.
Inside their modest merchandise store, The Kabin, they sell Yorkshire collectibles to raise funds for the club — a reminder of how supporters can be the backbone of a team, always going the extra mile to keep it alive.
Read: Inside the Kabin with Yorkshire County Cricket Club Supporters Association
The Smell of Books with Cricket’s Heritage — The Oxford Chapter
The Long Room at the Oxford University Cricket Club clubhouse speaks of legacy.
Each wooden plaque bearing the names of club legends narrates a silent story — from Malcolm Jardine’s leg glance to his son Douglas Jardine’s infamous Bodyline Ashes series. The journey began here, at Oxford.
From the Nawabs of Pataudi to Imran Khan, the wooden walls preserve a golden history — one that feels like a time capsule.
Let’s not forget Dr Lewis’s chair at the ground. Yes, Lewis of the Duckworth–Lewis method. The most cricket-nerdy Easter egg one could hope for.
Read: From Jardine to Pataudi: Cricket’s Noble Footprints in Oxford
Spotting the King of Spain at Edgbaston and the Collector’s Dilemma
At the Edgbaston Test, the visit to the Warwickshire Cricket Museum proved one of the tour’s most intriguing experiences.
Curator Phil Britt’s explanatory walkthrough still lingers in memory — and will for a long time.
Among the highlights were the three Ashley Giles mugs — one original, and two other “Spain-offs” — a hilarious nod to a 2000s-era misprint that dubbed Giles The King of Spain, instead of Spin.
The museum is home to priceless memorabilia: bats and stumps from the Bodyline series, Brian Lara’s signed bat, and more.
But here lies the collector’s dilemma — modern-day cricketers are increasingly reluctant to donate items to museums. Why? That’s the story.
Read: Ashley Giles the King of Spain and His Royal Mug at Warwickshire Museum
Read: Edgbaston’s Priceless Memories and the Modern Collector’s Dilemma
The Streets of Old Trafford and the Power of Merchandise
The streets of Trafford — stretching from the cricket ground to the home of Manchester United — speak in Red.
Pubs, houses, murals — everything bears the touch of the Red Devils. A walk down this stretch makes it feel like the entire area belongs to the club, united by a cause: the glory of Man United.
The Manchester United Megastore — bigger than most department stores — is an emotional rollercoaster for any football fan.
Jerseys (current and retro), jackets, scarves, badges, accessories — you name it, they have it.
The same spirit lives at the Etihad Stadium for Manchester City, and Villa Park for Aston Villa — all clubs with a powerful merchandise presence (These are the ones we visited).
But what’s more impressive is that even non-league clubs like FC United of Manchester, in the ninth tier, or Brigg Town FC – a level below – have their own shops.
Something we should definitely implement in India. Just having official jerseys at manufacturer showrooms isn’t enough.
Merchandising is about creating an experience.
Read: More Than Jerseys: What England’s Club Culture Tells Us About the Power of Merchandise
The Theatre of Screams
It was a dramatic, edge-of-the-seat series — two wins each and a draw — perhaps the most fitting result possible.
Two incredibly competitive sides battled for 25 days across five Test matches — a rarity in modern cricket. There were failures, heartbreaks, triumphs, and moments of poetry.
But perhaps the most profound takeaway came from Indian skipper Shubman Gill on the final day:
“Test cricket gives you a second chance.”
And so does life.
For every failed finish at Lord’s, for every dropped catch like Harry Brook’s, there will be a moment, like Siraj bowling a low full toss to finish the game. The mantra is to carry on, like Rishabh Pant with a broken toe, or a Chris Woakes with a dislocated shoulder. The show must go on, until the theatre screams your name in joy.
Read: A Cinematic Epic: How the 2025 England v India Series Rekindled the Soul of Test Cricket