Former captain Kapil Dev, who led India to a famous Test series win on England shores in 1986, doffs his hat to the four architects — Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj — of the historic win at Edgbaston
Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj. Pics/Getty Images
Former India captain Kapil Dev, who led the nation to a famous Test series win on English shores in 1986, is all praise for pacer Akash Deep after Sunday’s victory in the second Test at Edgbaston.
Akash Deep took a record match-haul of 10-187 as India beat England by 336 runs to level the five-match series 1-1 with three more games to go.
“We have seen some ustaad [experts or highly skilled persons] cricketers, who helped bring glory for India at Birmingham — captain Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant and the two new-ball bowlers Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj. This is a very new-look Indian team and they all fought well,” Kapil told mid-day on Monday.
Akash Deep on song
“I’m happy that Akash Deep got the breakthrough after waiting in the wings for a long time. He looked very confident. He was bringing the ball in nicely. He was accurately attacking the off stump and did not allow the English batters to counter attack. I think the best delivery that came out of his hand was the one that dismissed Joe Root [clean bowled in the second innings]. That was a top-class delivery. Akash is a very intelligent bowler and should continue to work hard. He must realise that he has got a platform now and should not throw it away,” added Kapil.
Kapil Dev. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
The legendary all-rounder also hailed the efforts of batters Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant. “Captain Gill is our new hero. I’m amazed to see his calmness. He never looked tired even after scoring a total of 430 runs [across both innings]. He did not seem tired at all. This is the hallmark of a good captain. He batted at No. 4 which is his usual number, but still scored so many runs. And of course, Rishabh is a kamaal ka player. He’s a very extraordinary cricketer, with this extra energy at all times,” said Kapil.
The team’s brilliant batting display coupled with its threatening pair of new-ball bowlers, keeps India in good stead for the third Test at Lord’s, felt Kapil.
“I was a bit worried on the fifth morning when it was raining initially, but our champion bowlers cleaned them up. Akash and Siraj used the new ball very well. Both know how to swing the ball and that’s their primary asset. They have formed a good partnership upfront. Prasidh Krishna [third pacer] is also not a bad bowler. He needs to work harder and I’m sure he will get back his rhythm.
‘Pitch it up at Lord’s’
“If they can pitch the ball up [consistently], I’m sure they will trouble the Englishmen again at Lord’s. England is a good team, but we were much better at Birmingham and this victory has given India the momentum for the Lord’s Test,” concluded Kapil.
How Kapil Dev’s India did it in 1986
. Win at Lord’s: Riding on Graham Gooch’s 114, England posted 294 in the first innings. India posted 341 in response, thanks to Dilip Vengsarkar’s 126 not out. But, the match truly turned in India’s favour when man-of-the-match and skipper Kapil Dev cleaned up the top order to return figures of 4-52. England were bowled out for 180. India chased down the 134-run target with five wickets in hand.
. Win at Headingley: Vengsarkar notched up 61 and an unbeaten 102 as India posted 272 and 237 respectively. Roger Binny’s 5-40 in the first innings and Maninder Singh’s 4-26 in the second meant England could only put up 102 and 128 while chasing. India won by a massive 279 runs.
. Draw at Edgbaston: England skipper Mike Gatting made 183 not out as the hosts posted 390. In reply, thanks to a complete team effort with the bat, India too made exactly 390. England then set a target of 236, but play ended with India at 174-5. Chetan Sharma (4-130, 6-58) claimed a 10-wicket match haul and India won the series 2-0.
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