Shubman Gill-led team heralds a new dawn

A young team, a rookie captain and the oppressive burden of history — the odds were heavily stacked against India at Edgbaston, Birmingham. No Indian cricket team had won a Test match at this famous venue, and it seemed unlikely that the Shubman Gill-led squad would break the jinx, especially after it snatched defeat from the jaws of a possible victory in the first Test at Leeds. There were no big names such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin, while pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was taking a ‘tactical’ break. The unflappable Gill, however, knew exactly what was needed to turn the tables on England. Leading from the front, the 25-year-old scored a breathtaking 269 in the first innings and followed it with a classy 161, smashing a plethora of records on the way. As the skipper, he brought the best out of fast bowler Akash Deep, who rattled England with a 10-wicket match haul.

India’s phenomenal 336-run win is surely one of its greatest Test triumphs overseas. Gill has given a befitting reply to his detractors, who were hastily questioning his ability to bat well in English conditions and marshal his troops. He has also vindicated the trust of the selectors, who gave him the reins of captaincy for a challenging tour after Rohit and Virat quit Test cricket in May. A bright future is in store for this team, which is brimming with talent and spunk — right from dashing opener Yashasvi Jaiswal to daredevil swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and lion-hearted pacer Mohammed Siraj.

Gill & Co know that their job is only half-done. Having found their rhythm, they should now go all out to win the five-match series. England hate to lose at home, and Ben Stokes’ boys are raring to strike back in the third Test at Lord’s. The fact is that the visitors have raised the bar pretty high. That’s very good news for Indian cricket.

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