India have evened things up at 1-1 after a see-saw start to the summer, winning by 157 runs at Edgbaston on the back of a boisterous fast-bowling display and a mountain of runs from Shubman Gill. The captain was quick to push the praise elsewhere, though, singling out Akash Deep for a maiden ten-wicket match haul and confirming that Jasprit Bumrah will walk straight back in for the third Test at Lord’s next week.
“They [the bowlers] were magnificent,” Gill said at the presentation. “I think the way we were able to get through the top order, that was very important for us. Both those bowlers bowled brilliantly. Even Prasidh, I felt, he didn’t get as many wickets as them, but he also bowled very brilliantly.”
Key facts first
• India win by 157 runs at Edgbaston, levelling the five-match series.
• Akash Deep, standing in for a rested Bumrah, takes 10 for 159, including 6 for 99 on the final afternoon.
• Mohammed Siraj bags 6 for 54 in England’s first dig; Prasidh Krishna ties up an end.
• Gill piles up 261 and 161 – his match tally of 430 is second only to Graham Gooch’s 456 (1990).
• Bumrah confirmed to return for the Lord’s Test starting 10 July.
Akash Deep, still only eight Tests into his career, was the obvious headline. Moving the ball both ways on a surface that didn’t always co-operate, he bowled long, honest spells and, crucially, kept the run-rate down. “I think he [Akash Deep] bowled with so much heart and the areas and the lengths that he hit, he was just getting the ball to move both ways. On wickets like these, it’s very difficult to get the ball moving in both directions and he was able to do that. He was just magnificent for us,” Gill said.
Siraj’s contribution was hardly minor. His six-for on day one lopped England off at the knees after a brisk start and allowed India to dictate the tempo for the rest of the match. Prasidh’s figures look modest on paper, yet his accuracy meant the other two could attack with slips waiting.
Depth in the cupboard
Gill reckons that sort of bench strength is no accident. “When two of your fast bowlers take 16-17 wickets, the captaincy becomes very easy,” he told the host broadcaster. “When two fast bowlers are in such good form… Bumrah was not playing in this match, but I think there is so much talent in India that the squad we have of 16-17 players, they have India’s best bowlers. And from them, any bowling attack can take 20 wickets in any situation or conditions.”
That last sentence feels bold, yet the evidence at Edgbaston backed him up. Bumrah’s imminent return only strengthens the attack, although it does leave the selectors with an awkward conversation—three into two doesn’t go, even if Lord’s can be kinder to seamers.
Gill’s own numbers
The skipper’s double of 261 and 161 threatened records. Only Gooch, 35 years ago, has scored more in a single Test. Gill also became just the second batter after that same Gooch to pass 150 twice in a match. Not that he was getting carried away. “I’d say I’m feeling comfortable [with my batting],” he said. “I’m definitely feeling comfortable with my game and hopefully with my contribution, if we are able to win this series, that would be a great achievement for us.”
Looking ahead
A quick turnaround now. Bumrah slots back in, the series moves south, and both sides will be eyeing that famous slope. Gill can’t wait. “Definitely,” he answered when asked if Bumrah would play. “Very excited for that [playing at Lord’s]. 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 the team there.”
England, for their part, have a few days to solve a wobbling top order and rediscover their cutting edge with the ball. The margins so far haven’t been huge; Edgbaston just showed what happens when India’s back-up quicks hit their lines and length. Lord’s could be fun.
