4 hours agoShubman Gill's Declaration Gamble Pays Off as India Silence Critics with Historic Edgbaston Victory
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Shubman Gill's controversial late declaration on Day 4 of the second Test against England proved to be a masterstroke. India recorded their first win at Edgbaston, destroying the hosts by 336 runs in a record victory. The victory was India's ninth attempt at Edgbaston as they finally breached what had become England's fortress ground.
India declared their second innings at 427 for 6 with only 16 overs remaining on Day 4, setting England an improbable target of 608 runs - the highest successful chase in Test history being 418. The timing immediately drew criticism from former England captain Nasser Hussain and other pundits who questioned whether Gill had left his team vulnerable to an escape route.
"There is a lot of pressure on India. You must think a lot of England to set them 600. If they get a draw, people will ask why they batted on so long, and people will ask whether Gill trusts his attack," Hussain stated on Sky Cricket, articulating the prevailing sentiment among critics.
'I was amazed that India couldn't find the rough at Headingley'
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 6, 2025
Nasser Hussain analyses how a key battle is developing between Ravi Jadeja and England's left-handers 🔎 pic.twitter.com/KN3SMm5he8
However the same Nasser Hussain praised Indian captancy after winning “ I do think that was important. I do think he was more visible. It's very easy when you lose, you sort of blame the captain and say, oh, he went missing, and when you win, you go, oh, he's a great captain.But I do think just watching from up above, which we often do in a commentary box, at the Headingley game, there was a lot of input from a lot of people, and it was like, who's in charge? You look down today, and he was in charge.”
"You look down today, he was in charge" 😤
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 6, 2025
Nasser Hussain discusses Shubman Gill's leadership during India's second test win against England pic.twitter.com/5FoNBzrESl
Despite the limited overs available, Indian team reduced England to 72 for 3 by stumps on Day 4, with Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep dismantling the top order.
India's bowling coach Morne Morkel defended the timing, emphasizing the team's confidence in their attack and dismissing suggestions of "Bazball" anxiety.
The vindication was complete on Day 5, where despite rain delays, Akash Deep completed a magnificent ten-wicket match haul, dismissing England for 271 and sealing India's biggest away Test victory by runs.
Also skipper commented after the match about his tactical reasoning: "On this kind of wicket we knew that if we got 400-500 runs, it would be enough. Not every game will be like Headingley." This statement indicated clear understanding of pitch conditions and opposition psychology, countering narratives of indecision. Also, looking forward for the Lord’s Test Gill said "Very excited for that (Lord's Test). 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 your team there,"
With the series level at 1-1, both teams head to Lord's where conditions may favor bowlers more significantly, especially with Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer expected to return for their respective sides.
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