Gill's Outstanding Performance In Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy (Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com)
History created at the Oval as Team India ended the nerve-wracking fifth Test match by a narrow 6-run victory. Shubman Gill, in his debut series as captain, silenced critics with poise and grit, leading India to a dramatic series draw.
As they leveled up the series, Shubman Gill secured the Player of the series. Reflecting on the hard-fought battle, Gill praised the team's collective grit and revealed the final-day game plan that turned the tide just as England seemed on the verge of victory.
The High-Pressure Fifth Day Rewrites History At Oval
After the heartbreaking defeat in the Lord’s Test, Team India’s grit remained on top, as they leveled up the series with a thrilling win at Oval. But the final day of the fifth Test was not easy for the Men in Blue as England were just 35 runs away and they needed four wickets. But with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna unleashing fiery spells, India turned the tide and snatched a heart-stopping 6-run win, wrapping up the Test in unforgettable way.
After levelling up the historic series, captain Shubman Gill reflected on the nail-biting fifth day. Applauding both teams for their fierce fight, Gill credited his bowlers, saying captaincy feels a lot easier with warriors like Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj delivering when it matters most.
“I think the way both the teams played in the entire series, coming to Day 5 never really knowing which team will win, really shows that both teams were prepared with their A game and I am really happy that we managed to get over the line in this one,” he said.
“When you have bowlers like Siraj and Prasidh bowling that kind of a spell early morning, captaincy seems pretty easy. They are making the ball talk. Yes, there was some pressure on us but the way the bowlers came out firing today was just magnificent to watch,” he added.
How Strategy Shifts The Momentum
Even after early domination on day 4, Team India lost their control later on the day as Harry Brook and Joe Root’s brilliance turned the tide. But the drama picked up on the fifth day, as the host stood on the brink of victory, but India’s grit flipped the script. After the stunning win, skipper Shubman Gill revealed the final day’s master plan that made all the difference.
“We were pretty confident today. Even yesterday we were confident. We just wanted to put them under pressure. Pressure makes teams do things that they don't want to and I just wanted to make sure that they feel the pressure throughout those 35 runs today,” he said.
Hails Siraj As ‘Captain’s Dream’
As Jasprit Bumrah was out of the fifth Test match due to workload management, Mohammed Siraj led the way when it mattered the most. With all five Test matches, Siraj created magic on the field, and the final showdown was no different. Hailing the pacer’s effort, Gill lauded Siraj’s performance.
“Oh yes, he is a captain's dream. Coming in for his team in all five Test matches, every ball that he bowled, he gave his heart out. Every captain and every team wants a player like him,” he added.
Reflects On His Personal Milestone
Stepping into Rohit Sharma’s shoes was not an easy transition for Gill, but the young captain proved that it is not difficult either. While leading the side with pride, he scored 757 runs in 5 Tests with his best Test score of 269 runs. Reflecting on his remarkable heroics, Gill credited his relentless hard work and dedication for his success.
“It feels really good to achieve that. I worked really hard at the start of the series. There were a sudden things I wanted to work on as a batter. It was my goal to be the best batter in the series and I am very happy to achieve that goal. You are only sorted mentally when you are sorted physically as well,” he said.
But instead of words, Gill let the team’s performance do the talking, silencing doubts with unity, resilience, and results on the field. After the win, when he was asked what India learned from the series, with eyes full of pride, Gill answered, “That we never give up (chuckles).” With that, Team India started a new chapter of domination in the longest format post RO-KO era.
