A Historic Turnaround in Birmingham
India’s journey in the Test series against England took a dramatic turn in Birmingham. After a five-wicket loss in Leeds, many had written off the Indian team. The lower-order batting collapses in both innings and the lack of pace support for Jasprit Bumrah had even raised concerns among veteran cricketers. However, under the leadership of Shubman Gill, India staged a remarkable comeback.
Gill led from the front with a record-breaking performance, scoring a double century and a century in the same match. His efforts were instrumental in securing a commanding 336-run victory against England, which marked India’s biggest-ever Test win away from home.
A Fiery Response to Doubts
After the triumph, Gill was named Player of the Match and addressed the press conference with a fiery tone. He was looking for the journalist who had questioned India’s record at Edgbaston. Until July 6, 2025, India had never won a Test in Birmingham in 19 attempts, and Gill was ready with a strong response.
“I can’t see my favourite journalist. Where is he? I wanted to see him,” Gill said during the post-match press conference. He emphasized his belief that history and stats should not define the team’s potential. “I believe we are the best team to have come here in England, and we have the capability to beat them, to win the series from here.”
A Historic Win
The victory at Edgbaston was historic for several reasons. It was India’s first win at the venue, leveling the series to 1-1. The margin of victory was also their biggest ever away from home, surpassing their previous record of a 318-run win against the West Indies in 2019.
Gill played a central role in the win, scoring 269 and 161 runs. He became the first captain to score more than 400 runs in a single Test match. Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant provided crucial support, contributing to India’s total of 1014 runs in the match.
Strong Performances from the Bowling Attack
The more significant aspect of the win was the performance of the bowling attack. Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep stepped up in the absence of Bumrah, who was rested for the second Test to manage his workload. Despite criticism, the decision proved beneficial as Siraj and Akash delivered outstanding performances.
On the flat Edgbaston track, Siraj and Akash were unstoppable with the new ball. They picked up six wickets across the two innings with their opening spells. Akash, who replaced Bumrah in the line-up, finished with a 10-wicket match haul, while Siraj took six wickets. Their efforts helped India bounce back after the defeat in Leeds.
Confidence in the Team
Gill reiterated his claim that this is one of the best Indian teams to have toured England. He highlighted the strength of the bowling attack, emphasizing that it remains threatening regardless of Bumrah’s presence.
“I think I said this before the match as well – this Indian team is one of the best to have toured England. The best 16 are chosen to play for the country. I believe all our bowlers have the ability to chip in at any time and help us take 20 wickets. Definitely, Jasprit bhai is one of the best bowlers in the world. But regardless of that, any bowling unit of ours can take 20 wickets anywhere – and this was an example of that,” Gill said.
