Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra showered praise on Shubman Gill’s team after they registered a thrilling six-run win against England at the Kennington Oval, London. Chopra lauded the visitors for drawing the series despite the absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant.
The tourists came up with a collective effort throughout the series against England. India registered their narrowest win by runs in their Test cricket history and the players were elated after the win.
Gill’s team was able to bag the remaining four wickets on the final day despite having 35 runs in the bank, with Mohammed Siraj taking three wickets.
“Wow, India, wow. History has been created. The match has been won on the Oval ground and the series has ended at 2-2. They have registered the smallest-margin win in India’s Test cricket history. Heavy roller, no roller, who cares? Neither Bumrah nor Pant was there. If you look back, neither Kohli nor Rohit was there, but it didn’t make a difference,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“This young team has beaten the opposing team, and we are really proud of you, Team India. It was magical, fantastical, and incredible. These people are different. The biggest learning is not to give up on this team,” he observed.
The former Delhi cricketer was also impressed with Shubman Gill’s captaincy on the final day of the fifth Test match.
“I liked Shubman Gill’s captaincy. There were a few difficult decisions. One was whether to take the new ball or not. There is a temptation because the new ball was due. He resisted the temptation to take the new ball because the ball was moving,” he said.
“Field placements, that was imperative. A fielder was placed at third man. Gus Atkinson swung his bat, and the fielder was standing almost behind second slip. If he had not been standing there, it would have been a four, and then you never know,” Chopra observed.
Mohammed Siraj was India’s hero as he returned with figures of 5-104 in the second innings.