Follow UsMany questions were raised when India decided to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test against England at Edgbaston, especially after they lost the opening game despite setting a target of 371. With a bowling unit comprising Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and three bowling all-rounders, doubts loomed large over India’s ability to take 20 wickets on a flat surface.
However, Akash Deep and Siraj rose to the occasion and turned up the heat, powering India to a record 336-run win to level the series 1-1 with three games to go. Siraj claimed six wickets in the first innings, while Akash Deep did the same in the second. Together, the two fast bowlers picked up 17 wickets in the match and silenced the critics in style.
“They were absolutely magnificent for us. Both of them took 16-17 wickets. That itself is a big, big achievement coming into this Test match, especially without Jasprit bhai. There were a lot of questions if we would be able to take those 20 wickets. And the way these two guys delivered was just outstanding. I have no words to describe,” said Indian captain Shubman Gill.
On a batting paradise, Gill and the rest of India’s batting line-up had plenty of fun, breaking several records. India posted 587 in the first innings and followed it up with 427/6 (declared) in the second. This was the first time India had scored over 1000 runs in a Test match, with Gill himself amassing a remarkable 430 runs (269 and 161) across two innings.
"It gets very difficult for the bowlers. Even more than the wicket (pitch), the ball is going soft and out of shape very quickly. I don't know what it is – weather, wickets (pitches) or whatever – but it gets very difficult for the bowlers to get wickets in these conditions. As a team, when you know it is difficult to get wickets and runs are coming easily, a lot of things are out of your control.
"I think there should be a little help at least. If the ball is doing something, you enjoy playing. If you know there is only 20 overs of any help and then you have to spend the rest of the day on the defensive, thinking how to stop runs, then the game loses its essence."
Talking about his own batting, Gill said: "Sometimes, especially when you are the captain, I think you need to lead by example so that whenever there is another player in that situation, you can command to that player.
'This is what the team requires right now and you always have to put the team first rather than your personal desires.' Or sometimes you want to try some things, but I think if you put the team ahead of you, you will always walk in the right direction or walk on the right path and that's what I wanted to do in this match. If a good ball gets me out, it gets me out, but as long as I'm there, I want to play as long as possible."
Both Tests went into the fifth day - something that rarely happens in India’s home conditions. "Definitely helped us in a massive way. I would say not many Test matches when we play in India go for five days.
“But luckily most of the days when we are playing here we are batting and not fielding, so that's good for us. Even in the first innings, I think we fielded for about 90 overs, which is about a day. So I think that's good. I think even in the series, in the upcoming matches, if you're able to score runs consistently and post around 400 or 300 totals, we will always be in the game."