Team India has secured a historic victory against England at Edgbaston, marking their first-ever Test win at this venue. The dominant 336-run win, which leveled the five-match series 1-1, has sparked widespread celebrations and earned high praise from the cricket fraternity, including veterans like Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh.
The foundation for India's triumph was laid by a commanding batting performance, particularly by Shubman Gill, who was named Player of the Match. Gill scored a monumental 269 in the first innings and followed it up with a brilliant 161 in the second, setting a new record as the first player in Test history to achieve scores of 250 and 150 in the same match. His remarkable performance led India to post 587 in the first innings, putting immense pressure on the English side. Gill's first-innings double century is now the highest individual score by an Indian Test captain in England, surpassing Virat Kohli's previous record. Ravindra Jadeja and Yashasvi Jaiswal also contributed valuable half-centuries, providing solid support to Gill.
Former Indian captain Virat Kohli was quick to acknowledge the team's impressive performance. He lauded Shubman Gill's leadership and the impactful bowling of Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. "Great victory for India at Edgbaston. Fearless and kept pushing England to the wall. Brilliantly led by Shubhman with the bat and in the field and impactful performances from everyone. Special mention to Siraj and Akash for the way they bowled on this pitch," Kohli posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Another significant factor in India's victory was the outstanding performance of Akash Deep, who stepped in for the rested Jasprit Bumrah. Akash Deep made the most of the opportunity, claiming a total of 10 wickets in the match, including a remarkable 6 for 99 in the second innings. His contribution was crucial in dismantling the England batting lineup and securing the win. Mohammed Siraj also played a vital role, taking six wickets in the first innings and consistently applying pressure from the other end.
The Edgbaston victory holds immense significance as it marks India's first Test win at the venue in nine attempts since 1967. It is also India's biggest Test win on English soil, surpassing their 279-run victory in 1986, and their biggest overseas Test win by margin of runs. Moreover, Shubman Gill became the 25th Indian captain to win a Test match.
The win is a testament to the team's resilience and adaptability, especially after their defeat in the first Test at Headingley. Despite missing key players like Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian team showcased their depth and determination to bounce back strongly. Shubman Gill praised the team's all-round effort and their response after the first Test setback. "All the things we spoke about after the first game, we were spot on. Our bowling and fielding was tremendous to see," he said.
Looking ahead, the series is now evenly poised, with the third Test scheduled to begin on July 10 at Lord's Cricket Ground in London. The Indian team, brimming with confidence after their Edgbaston triumph, will aim to carry the momentum and secure another victory. Shubman Gill expressed his excitement about playing at Lord's, calling it "possibly the most iconic stadium in the world" and a place he dreamt of playing as a kid.
