The Indian cricket team showcased an outstanding performance, securing a 106-run triumph over England in the second Test match and thereby leveling the five-match series at 1-1 on Monday. The brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin in the bowling department sealed the victory, complemented by exceptional innings from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. As the two initial Tests concluded, attention now shifts to the remaining three matches, with the anticipation of the India squad announcement in the coming days.
BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who was in Visakhapatnam, engaged in discussions with captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid post-match, sparking speculation on social media. The spotlight currently hovers over Shreyas Iyer and KS Bharat, players who struggled in the Test series. Amidst the potential return of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul for the upcoming matches, speculations arise about Iyer possibly losing his spot in the playing XI. Shubman Gill, initially under scrutiny, silenced critics with a stellar century in the second innings, securing his position in the team, at least for the time being.
In the thrilling chase of a record 399 for victory, England, despite an aggressive start and Zak Crawley’s contribution of 73, were dismissed for 292 in the second session on day four in Visakhapatnam. The dynamic duo of Bumrah and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who finished the match with 499 Test wickets, claimed three wickets each in the final innings. Bumrah’s decisive dismissal of Tom Hartley marked the conclusion of the match, highlighting India’s dominance.
Shubman Gill’s remarkable century on day three played a pivotal role in setting up the comeback victory for the hosts, presenting England, the victors of the series opener, with a challenging target. The performance underscores India’s resilience and sets the stage for a riveting remainder of the series.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.