India's commanding 336-run victory over England at Edgbaston has sparked considerable discussion about the effectiveness of England's "Bazball" approach against a confident Indian side. Former England spinner Monty Panesar believes this win demonstrates that India is not intimidated by England's aggressive style of play, and that the victory will boost their confidence heading into the third Test at Lord's. This historic win, India's first-ever Test victory at Edgbaston, also leveled the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at 1-1.
Panesar highlighted the significance of the win, stating, "India will gain a lot of confidence from this. It shows they're not afraid of England's Bazball approach. There's a great deal of excitement and belief in the team. Shubman Gill has shown exceptional leadership; also, he has batted really well". He also noted that the Edgbaston pitch was conducive to batting, which initially seemed to favor England's Bazball approach. However, India's strong batting performance, led by Shubman Gill's impressive scores of 269 and 161, allowed them to dominate the match and challenge England's aggressive chase strategy.
India's bowling attack also played a crucial role in the victory. Despite missing key bowler Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep stepped up, taking 10 wickets in the match and troubling the English batsmen with the new ball. Panesar praised Akash Deep's performance, saying, "Akash Deep has an excellent average with the new ball. He's a genuine new-ball bowler, and he bowled really well — a remarkable comeback for him". Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar also contributed with wickets, showcasing the depth and strength of India's bowling lineup.
The win at Edgbaston marks a significant moment for India, as it is their largest away Test win in terms of runs. It also breaks India's long-standing winless streak at the venue, having played eight matches there since 1967 without a victory. Shubman Gill, in only his second Test as captain, secured his first win, further adding to the significance of the achievement. Gill expressed that this win would be one of his "happiest memories".
While India's victory has been widely celebrated, some questions have been raised about their strategy during the match. After Shubman Gill's second century, India's lead had reached 591. Some observers questioned whether the declaration was delayed due to concerns about England's Bazball approach. Despite these concerns, India ultimately set England a target of 608, which proved to be too challenging for the home side.
Overall, India's dominant performance at Edgbaston has sent a strong message to England and the rest of the cricketing world. The victory demonstrates India's resilience, adaptability, and confidence in their ability to counter aggressive strategies like Bazball. As the series moves to Lord's, India will be looking to build on this momentum and continue their quest for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The return of Jasprit Bumrah for the next match will further strengthen India's bowling attack, making them an even more formidable opponent.
