Shubman Gill’s Indian team has made history by becoming the first Asian side to win a Test match at Edgbaston, defeating England by a massive 336 runs in the second Test. This victory helped India bounce back strongly after losing the first Test at Headingley and leveled the five-match series 1-1.
India’s performance in the Edgbaston Test was nothing short of dominant. Former head coach Ravi Shastri praised the team’s efforts, calling it an “unbelievable performance.” Speaking to Sky Sports, Shastri highlighted how India controlled nearly 90% of the ten days of Test cricket so far.
“India lost the first Test despite being in control for most of it. That kind of loss can be tough to recover from, especially with a week’s break in between. But the team came back stronger, made improvements, and delivered a powerful performance in the second match,” Shastri said.
One of the standout performances came from fast bowler Akash Deep, who was playing in place of the rested Jasprit Bumrah. The 28-year-old seized the opportunity, taking a total of ten wickets in the match—four in the first innings and six in the second. His efforts played a key role in India’s win.
Alongside Akash Deep, pacers Mohammad Siraj and Prasidh Krishna also made significant contributions. Together, the trio claimed 17 of the 20 English wickets. Their impressive showing meant that even without Bumrah, India’s bowling attack remained sharp and effective.
Now, with Bumrah expected to return for the third Test at Lord’s, Shastri believes India’s bowling unit will only get stronger. “This attack has grown in confidence. Akash Deep provides control and consistency. Bumrah brings leadership and precision. Siraj is a natural wicket-taker. Together, they form a dangerous combination,” he explained.
Shastri also pointed out that England may struggle against such a strong Indian pace attack, especially if the pitches are good for batting. He suggested that England might need to reconsider their bowling options as well, given that their own attack has looked underwhelming so far.
Another major positive for India was the leadership of young captain Shubman Gill. According to Shastri, Gill showed great calmness under pressure and handled the team with maturity.
“Even without Bumrah, to bowl England out twice and take 20 wickets shows real character. Gill’s calm and focused approach stood out. He’s not getting carried away and is taking things one match at a time,” Shastri noted. “His conversation with Nasser Hussain after the match reflected that maturity.”
India’s turnaround in the series has reignited hopes of a series win in England. With momentum now on their side and Bumrah set to return, the Indian team looks confident and well-prepared for the third Test.
As the action shifts to Lord’s later this week, all eyes will be on whether India can maintain their form and push ahead in the series. With a bowling attack in form and a young, composed captain at the helm, the Indian team has set the stage for what promises to be an exciting remainder of the series.
