India captain Shubman Gill had a cheeky moment during the post-match press conference following his team’s historic 336-run win over England at Edgbaston. As the press assembled to speak with the young skipper, Gill looked around the room and asked with a grin, “Where's my favourite journalist?” a clear reference to the English reporter who had highlighted India’s dismal record at Edgbaston during the pre-match media interaction.
Before this match, India had never tasted victory at Edgbaston in nine previous attempts, recording seven losses and one draw. The odds and history were stacked against them. However, led by Gill’s exceptional batting (a double century and a century) and a stunning bowling effort from Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj, India rewrote that narrative in emphatic fashion.
Gill’s light-hearted jab was rooted in confidence and belief, something he had already voiced before the game. “I even said before the Test match that I don't really believe in history and stats,” Gill reiterated. “Over the last 56 years or so, different teams have come here. I believe we are the best Indian team to come here and we have the capability to win.”
Not only did India win they dominated. With Jasprit Bumrah rested, there were questions about India’s ability to bowl England out twice. But Akash Deep stepped up with a 10-wicket haul and Siraj backed him with 7 wickets, earning special praise from their skipper.
“Our bowlers were magnificent. We are capable of taking 20 wickets anywhere. The consistency from both ends Siraj, Akash, and even Prasidh helped us win the little moments,” Gill explained. He also pointed out that the turning point came with the second new ball on a flat pitch, as the harder ball made it easier to take wickets.
Reflecting on his stellar form with the bat, Gill revealed that he began preparing for this Test series during the last phase of IPL 2025. “I started working on some things during the IPL. We don’t listen to outside noise. Opinions change every game. If your teammates trust you, that's what really matters.”
This win not only lifted India to fourth place in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 table but also showcased their depth and determination. While the press conference may have started with a joke, the message from Gill was clear: this team believes in itself, not in old records or external expectations. With the series now level at 1-1 and momentum firmly on India’s side, all eyes will be on how the young leader continues to steer his side through the rest of the tour.
