Young captain, fearless squad, and a shot at history
By all standards of modern Test cricket, India’s 336-run hammering of England at Edgbaston last week wasn’t just emphatic—it was historic. The victory not only levelled the five-match series 1-1 but also signalled the arrival of a new Indian era led by a youthful yet fearless Shubman Gill. For a team that entered the series under a cloud of skepticism—with stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma having bowed out of the format post-IPL—it has been nothing short of a stunning turnaround.
Let’s be honest: when Gill was handed the reins of the Test side, murmurs of concern quickly turned into loud doubts—including from me. With few seniors around, apart from the returning Rishabh Pant and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, this looked like a side built more on promise than pedigree. But as the dust settles on the second Test, I, along with many others, have been forced to rethink. Could this young Indian team, under Gill’s calm yet attacking leadership, go on to do the unthinkable—win a Test series in England with flair and dominance?
Gill silenced every critic with his bat—and then some. His monumental 269 in the first innings was a masterclass in patience, poise, and pure class. He followed it up with a blazing 161 in the second innings, effectively batting England out of the match. These weren’t innings of defensive survival—they were statements of intent, built on clever footwork, shot selection, and a mental fortitude far beyond his years. What impressed me most was that he wasn’t just batting; he was leading. That too, on foreign soil. Simply, unbelievable.
Gill’s strokeplay combined traditional Test-match discipline with controlled aggression—a style that could well define this new Indian generation. Having watched him bat, I was reminded of traits I admired as a first-class cricketer myself. His command over England’s experienced bowling attack, especially in seaming conditions, was a treat to watch—and a nightmare for Ben Stokes’ men. Ajay Jadeja, too, has firmly established himself as a genuine all-rounder, chipping in with a timely 81 to bolster India’s first-innings total.
While Gill led with the bat, it was India’s bowling that shut the door on England. With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable due to a niggle, the onus was on Mohammed Siraj and the relatively unknown Akash Deep to lead the attack—and they delivered with fire and fury.
Siraj’s six-wicket haul in the first innings was pivotal. He attacked the stumps relentlessly, used the short ball judiciously, and never allowed England’s centurions—Harry Brook and Jamie Smith—to dominate for long.
But the breakout star was undoubtedly Akash Deep. Drafted in as a backup pacer, he wreaked havoc across both innings, ending with a match haul of 10 wickets. His rhythm, seam position, and ability to swing the ball late under cloudy skies made him virtually unplayable. More than his wickets, it was his attitude that stood out—raw, fearless, and hungry to prove himself.
Beyond individual brilliance, what made this win special was the collective self-belief. The younger crop—be it Yashasvi Jaiswal, who chipped in with handy runs, or Washington Sundar, who kept the run rate in check—played their roles to perfection. Pant’s safe hands behind the stumps and his aggressive lower-order batting added depth to the lineup. The fielding, too, remained sharp and disciplined throughout.
This Indian side didn’t play like underdogs—they played like they belonged. That mindset stems from Gill’s leadership—a mix of quiet confidence, strategic clarity, and trust in his players. He rotated bowlers smartly, set attacking fields, and never allowed the game to drift.
Leveling the series is just the beginning. With three more Tests to go and momentum firmly with India, there’s every reason to believe this team could script something extraordinary. A series win in England with a relatively raw squad would be unprecedented—and a defining moment in India’s evolving Test identity: bold, brave, and unburdened by the past.
Of course, tougher days lie ahead. England will bounce back. But if Edgbaston is any indication, India may have found the perfect blend of youth, hunger, and leadership to silence critics and redefine what dominance on foreign soil looks like.
Shubman Gill’s India isn’t just playing for pride—they’re playing for a place in history. And they’re off to a spectacular start.
