‘The best Test team in the world’: Shane Warne’s bizarre claim torn to shreds

The King of Spin has copped a flood of backlash for his bold declaration following India’s exhilarating victory over England.

Australian cricket great Shane Warne has copped a tsunami of backlash for his bold declaration following India’s thrilling victory over England at the Oval.

After being rolled for 191 in the first innings, India pulled off a remarkable comeback on Monday evening to secure a 2-1 lead in the five-Test series.

It continues a golden patch for Ravi Shastri’s side, during which they defeated Australia on foreign soil before embarrassing England at home back in February.

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“I’m really proud of the character the team has shown, especially this morning, the way we bowled,” India captain Virat Kohli told Sky Sports.

“I think it’s definitely among the top three bowling performances I have witnessed as India captain.”

Warne, who was part of Sky Sports’ coverage of the fourth Test, congratulated the Indians on social media following their 157-run triumph in London.

“Congratulations Virat Kohli and the entire Indian team on another terrific win,” he wrote on Twitter.

“What you guys have all achieved together over the last 12 months is absolutely magnificent!

“Clearly the best Test team in the world and that title is thoroughly deserved too! Long live Test cricket.”

India now cannot lose the Test series. Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Inevitably, some cricket fans took umbrage to Warne’s claim that India was “clearly” the best Test team in the world.

New Zealand defeated India in the inaugural World Test Championship Final back in June, and currently sit at No. 1 on the ICC Test rankings.

India’s most recent Test series against New Zealand was back in February 2020, when the Black Caps comprehensively whitewashed Kohli’s side 2-0.

In fact, India has not defeated New Zealand in the five-day format since October 2016.

Therefore, Kane Williamson and his Kiwi teammates would be forgiven for taking offence to Warne’s bold claim.

New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox replied to Warne on Twitter: “Come on mate they didn’t beat the mighty Black Caps in the world test championship!”

Warne responded: “Hahaha fair point that partner! But a one off Test is different to a Test series.”

Not sure how they deserve a title they literally didn't win. https://t.co/jv6vBqXc4r

— Sean Hogan (@SeanHoganNZ) September 6, 2021

If only India had played NZ recently to test this “best team in the world claim” 🤪 https://t.co/TtuaWqWdnK

— Chris Penk (@ChrisPenknz) September 6, 2021

Huge fan of this India pace attack in particular, but they were beaten by New Zealand in the contest that quite literally decides who the best Test team in the world is.

Big Three mentality. What a trip. https://t.co/acPFYDLuvM

— Andrew Fidel Fernando (@afidelf) September 6, 2021

Former Black Caps wicketkeeper Ian Smith told SENZ Radio: “He’s cleverer than a lot of people give him credit for.

“One, it pumps up India’s tyres. Two, in a weird sort of way it pumps up England’s tyres by saying, ‘Don’t be surprised if India can beat you, because they are by far the best cricket team in the world going around at the moment’.

“And the other thing it does is it winds people up and he always looks for reactions - he did on the field, and he’s carried on doing it off the field. It’s quite a clever comment.”

Meanwhile, England faces the strong possibility of finishing an entire home summer with only one Test victory, an unwanted feat they have not achieved since 1999.

“It is frustrating not to be able to get anything from the game today,” England captain Joe Root said.

“We turned up this morning and we really feel like we had an opportunity to win the Test match, especially with that opening partnership, which I thought was outstanding.

“Credit to India, they got the ball to reverse and they made good use of that. It was a brilliant spell of bowling from Bumrah and that really was the turning point in the game.”

The fifth Test between England and India gets underway at Old Trafford on Friday, with the first ball scheduled for 8pm AEST.

Originally published as ‘The best Test team in the world’: Shane Warne’s bizarre claim torn to shreds