Follow UsIndia’s new Test skipper Shubman Gill registered his first victory in his second Test, as India defeated England by 336 runs and levelled the five-match series 1-1. That puts India in a strong position going into the third Test at Lord’s as Gill confirmed that India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah will “definitely” be available for that Test.
Speaking after India’s victory, Gill highlighted that the team worked on all the shortcomings they talked about from the first Test at Leeds, which India lost by five wickets despite dominating significant chunks of it.
“All the things we spoke about after the first game, we were spot on with all of those things,” Gill said at the post-match presentation, where he was also awarded the Player of the match for his splendid 430 runs in the Test.
“Our bowling and fielding was tremendous to see. On this kind of wicket, we knew if we get 400-500 on this kind of wicket, we'll be in the game. Not everytime we're going to drop that many catches that we did in Headingley.”
Gill reserved special praise for his pacers Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, who both took a six-wicket haul in the Test, with the latter picking up ten wickets in the Test match. He even mentioned Prasidh Krishna, who was erratic on occasion but bowled brilliantly in the second innings, although he had only one wicket to show for it.
“They (pacers) were magnificent and I think the way we were able to get through the top-order, that was important to us, and both those bowlers bowled brilliantly and even Prasidh, he didn't get as many wickets as them, but he also bowled brilliantly.
“He (Akash Deep) bowled with so much heart. The areas and lengths he hit, he was getting the ball to move both ways. On wickets like these, it's difficult to do that, he was just magnificent for us.”
When asked about how he’s compartmentalising his batting and captaincy, and if he thinks this is the best he has ever batted in Test cricket, he mentioned that while he’s feeling comfortable with his game, he is focused on winning the series, which would make him much happier than personal milestones.
“I'd say I'm feeling comfortable with my game. Hopefully, if we win the series with my contributions, I'll feel happier. Every day is a learning curve for me. Whenever I go out there, I've said this before, I just want to play as a batsman and I want to think as a batsman and I want to make my decisions and risk management as a batsman.
“Sometimes when you are out there and thinking as a captain, you don't take that risks which I think as a batsman sometimes is necessary. Definitely (Bumrah back at Lord's?). Very excited for that (Lord's Test). Probably the most iconic cricket stadium in the world and as a kid everyone dreams about playing there and I think no bigger honour than to be able to captain your country and lead your team there.”
The third Test in London begins on July 10.