IND vs ENG, 2nd Test: India skipper Gill says he knew team could pick 20 wickets despite Bumrah’s absence

India skipper Shubman Gill said that he never doubted his team’s ability to pick 20 wickets even in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.

“I have said this before, this is one of the best Indian teams to play here and I believe we can take 20 wickets in any situation or conditions,” Gill said on Sunday, after the huge 336-run win over England in the second Test here.

“Jasprit  bhai is one of the best bowlers in the world, but irrespective of that fact [his absence], we can take 20 wickets anywhere. And this was just another example.”

The 25-year-old, who tasted his maiden victory as Test captain, said that the turning point of the match came late on Saturday when Akash Deep left England stunned by removing both Ben Duckett and Joe Root cheaply.

India bowler Akash Deep (2nd from right) celebrates with teammates after taking the final wicket of Brydon Carse to take his 10th wicket of the match and the win for India during day five of the Second Test Match between England and India at Edgbaston on July 06, 2025, in Birmingham, England.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images

“Getting through a top-four is never easy, and that spell of Akash, how he got those two wickets, gave confidence to everyone that we can win this Test. And when he came [on Sunday morning], with the ball hitting the cracks and the odd ball seaming, that too instilled confidence.”

Gill was overall impressed with India’s bowling on a largely unresponsive pitch. The job was made doubly difficult with the ball refusing to yield to the bowler’s will once the shine went off.

“We can be a little more consistent with our lines and our lengths, but sometimes you don’t get the wickets you deserve. Bowling, like batting, is always in partnerships. So the way we bowled from both ends in this match, and not just the fast bowlers, was good.

ALSO READ: ENG vs IND, Test Series: Gill confirms Bumrah will play at Lord’s

“The wicket of the captain [Ben Stokes] by Washington [Sundar] was crucial. There are small moments that are very crucial for you to win. And we captured those small moments very well.”

Gill was also happy with his batting discipline, staying in the middle for over 12 hours to make scores of 269 and 161, which earned him the Player-of-the-Match award.

“When you are the captain, you need to lead by example,” he said. “And whenever there is another player in that situation, you can command that player: ‘This is what the team requires’.

“And you always have to put the team first rather than your personal desires. That’s what I wanted to do. If a good ball gets me out, it gets me out. But as long as I am there, I want to play as long as possible.”