Shubman Gill says game loses its essence without help for bowlers after Edgbaston win

Indian captain Shubman Gill said the game loses its essence without help for bowlers after huge win at Edgbaston. The first two matches of the five-match series have been played on flat decks and thus the bowlers have had their work cut out.

India piled up 1014 runs in the Edgbaston Test, which is the first instance when they have breached the 1000-run mark. Gill was once again able to lead from the front as he amassed 430 runs in the Test match, which is the second highest by any player. 

From overs 20 to 80, there was hardly any help for the bowlers on the Edgbaston pitch and thus the batters enjoyed their outing.

“It gets very difficult for the bowlers,” the Indian captain said on Sunday (July 6) after the visitors drew level in the series with victory by 336 runs. “Even more than the pitch, the ball is going soft and out of shape very quickly. I don’t know what it is – weather, pitches or whatever – but it gets very difficult for the bowlers to get wickets in these conditions. As a team, when you know it is difficult to get wickets and runs are coming easily, a lot of things are out of your control.

“I think there should be a little help at least. If the ball is doing something, you enjoy playing. If you know there is only 20 overs of any help and then you have to spend the rest of the day on the defensive, thinking how to stop runs, then the game loses its essence.”

Meanwhile, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj collectively bagged 17 wickets in the match. The duo was able to bowl in the right areas and reaped rewards for their accuracy.

“Both of them took 16-17 wickets. That itself is a big, big achievement coming into this Test match, especially without Jasprit [Bumrah] bhai. There were a lot of questions if we would be able to take those 20 wickets. And the way these two guys delivered was just outstanding. I have no words to describe.”

The third Test match between India and England will be played at Lord’s, London from 10th July onwards.