Following India's resounding 336-run victory over England at Edgbaston, captain Shubman Gill playfully called out a journalist who had previously questioned India's chances at the venue, highlighting the team's historic win and his belief in their capabilities. Gill's response came after he led India to their first-ever Test win at Edgbaston, leveling the series 1-1, and achieving their largest-ever Test victory on foreign soil.
Prior to the match, a journalist had pointed out India's poor record at Edgbaston, where they had never won in eight previous attempts. Gill, however, remained confident, stating that he doesn't believe in stats or history and that this is the best Indian team to come to England, capable of winning the series.
After the win, Gill, who was named Player of the Match for his record-breaking performance of 269 and 161 runs in the two innings, entered the post-match press conference with a clear mission. "I can't see my favourite journalist. Where is he? I wanted to see him," Gill said with a smile, sparking laughter in the room. He reiterated his pre-match statement, emphasizing that this Indian team has the potential to win the series in England.
Gill's confidence in his team was vindicated by their performance at Edgbaston. India not only secured their first win at the venue but also displayed dominance with both bat and ball. Gill led from the front with his exceptional batting, supported by Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant, who made significant contributions to India's total of over 1,000 runs in the match. The bowling unit, led by Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, stepped up in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, taking 17 wickets between them to dismantle the English batting lineup. Akash Deep's impressive performance earned him his maiden five-wicket and 10-wicket hauls in a Test match.
Gill's leadership has been praised, with Rashid Khan even endorsing him as India's best bet to lead the team in Test cricket. Gill himself has emphasized the importance of leading by example and creating an environment where players can perform at their best. He has also spoken about learning from past leaders like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
The win at Edgbaston was particularly significant as it came after a loss in the first Test at Leeds, where India suffered a batting collapse despite scoring over 800 runs. The team's ability to bounce back and dominate in Birmingham demonstrated their resilience and determination.
Looking ahead to the third Test at Lord's, Gill expressed his excitement and confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah would return to the team. He acknowledged the iconic status of Lord's and the dream of playing there as a kid. With the series now level, India will aim to carry the momentum from their Edgbaston triumph into the next Test and continue their quest for a series win in England.
