Edgbaston Test: Shubman Gill's playful taunt at press conference evokes laughter

A long wait of 58 years ended at Edgbaston on July 6 as India recorded their first-ever Test win at the venue, thereby also becoming the first Asian side to achieve this feat. Captain Shubman Gill was at the forefront of this historic win with scores of 269 and 161 in the game, apart from marshalling his troops with aplomb.

 

While the moment of glory saw celebrations galore in the India camp, Gill was reminded about a question he was posed in the pre-match press conference about India's torrid record at Edgbaston. At that time, the 25-year-old had played down past records and stated that he was against overestimating such stats related to a venue. Now, with history created, Gill was in the mood to have some fun.

 

"I can't see...My favourite journalist....Where is he?" were Gill's words as he glanced around the room in a mock gesture. The journalists in the room saw the funny side of it and burst into laughter. It was a naughty yet well-mannered gesture from Gill who was understandably on cloud nine after his side's series-levelling win in Birmingham. The whopping margin of victory - by 336 runs - was also India's biggest win away from home in terms of runs.

 

Gill himself created a plethora of records with the bat as he grinded England's bowling attack to dust across the two innings. His first innings marathon act of 269 was the third highest score by an Asian captain in England and also the highest by an Indian in SENA countries. Gill then followed it up with another masterclass of 161, once again looking rarely troubled by anything that England threw at him. The match aggregate of 430 runs was the first instance of a batter registering a 250-plus and 150-plus score in the same Test. If not for the match situation demanding declaration batting, he may well have achieved the unreal feat of two double tons in the same game.

 

Gill's superhuman efforts were equally supported by Akash Deep's ten-wicket match haul and Mohammed Siraj's six-wicket haul in the first innings. The pace duo were sensational, especially Deep, as England's batters were sent packing on a pitch that was a batter's ally. Reflecting on the dominant win that saw India outplay England across all departments, Gill rated his side very highly in comparison to the previous Indian Test sides that have visited the country.

 

"Over the last 56 years or so, we've played nine matches - different teams have come here. 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. If we keep making the right decisions and keep fighting, I think it would be one of the series to remember."

 

There is only a three-day break before the third Test starts at Lord's on July 10. With the series entertainingly poised at 1-1, the series is set up nicely to be a bonafide blockbuster.

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