After the draw against England in Manchester, Indian captain Shubman Gill called his second innings century the most pleasing one. He said that playing with the same mindset for over 140 overs showed everyone how good this new Indian team is.
Despite being 1-2 down in the series, Team India showed focus and determination. Centuries from Gill, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar helped India turn a 311 run deficit into a 114 run lead. This puts pressure on the English bowlers as they head into the final Test at The Oval in two days.
In a BCCI video, Gill said that the 188 run partnership between him and KL Rahul made them think they could get a draw.
At 0/2, the partnership between me and KL Bhai made us think we could do it. I’m very happy we could get a draw from the position we were in. I think this innings was the most pleasing to me, Gill said.
In this series, Gill has been the top scorer with 722 runs at 90.25, including four centuries and a best score of 269. He has broken many batting records in this series but this innings was special because it was in a match where the series was on the line.
Having that same mindset for 140 overs is tough. That’s what separates a good team from a great team and I think we showed why we are a great team, he added.
Gill also said that when Sundar and Jadeja were batting, the ball was difficult but they played calmly and got a century which was a big thing.
Sundar dedicated his century to his family who have been supporting his cricket from the start. He also praised Jadeja for his crucial spells.
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The spinners were getting a lot of turn so we focused on watching the ball. It’s amazing we got a draw. This draw means a lot to the team and I’m sure it will give us more confidence, he added.
England chose to field first in the match. Half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (58), Sai Sudharsan (61) and Rishabh Pant (54) helped India score 358. Stokes (5/72) troubled the visitors with timely wickets. Jofra Archer also took 3/73.In the second innings, Zak Crawley (84) and Ben Duckett (94) added 166 runs for the opening wicket. Joe Root (150) and Stokes (141) made it worse for the Indian bowlers and England got a 311 run lead. England scored 669. Ravindra Jadeja (4/143) was the best Indian bowler. Jasprit Bumrah (2/112) had a tough day.
After Chris Woakes reduced India to 0/2, KL Rahul (90) and Shubman Gill (103) caused trouble for England, batting for three sessions for 188 runs. Then Jadeja (107*) and Washington Sundar (101*) frustrated England and took India to 114 run lead and ended at 425/4 in a draw.
The series currently stands at 2-1 with England leading, final match set to be played on July 31.
