India skipper Shubman Gill is witty when it comes to giving it back to journalists in the pre and post-match conferences. Last IPL, he had given it back to Harsha Bhogle and told him to not take his team the Titans, lightly after they defended a lowish total. The 25-year-old's wittiness was yet again on display when he trolled a reporter in the post-match conference after India's emphatic win in Edgbaston.
An English journalist had presented a stat for Gill ahead of the second Test. India had never beaten the hosts at this ground in the previous eight attempts. As the right-hand batter entered the conference room, his eyes were fixated on finding the same reporter who presented the facts before him.
"I can't see my favorite journalist. Where is he? I wanted to see him," Gill said, trolling the journalist during the media conference.
"I even said before the Test match that I don't really believe in history and stats. Over the last 56 years or so, we've played nine matches - different teams have come here. I believe we are the best team to have come here to England, and we have the capability to beat them to win the series from here. If we keep making the right decisions and keep fighting, I think it would be one of the series to remember," he further said.
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Shubman Gill's effusive praise of bowlers says they delivered without Jasprit Bumrah
India was under extreme pressure after the defeat in the Leeds Test despite managing to dominate the Test for the majority of the game. Also, Bumrah was rested for the second Test due to workload management. Add to that the criticism from the experts and fans of resting the premier pacer for the second Test despite being 0-1 down. However, amidst all odds, pacers Siraj and Akash Deep played starring roles to help India register their biggest away win in terms of runs. Shubman Gill was effusive in praise of the duo for helping India level the series.
"Our bowlers were magnificent," Gill said. "We are capable of taking 20 wickets anywhere. The consistency from both ends - Siraj, Akash, and even Prasidh - helped us win the little moments. That's what makes the difference," he said.
"When the ball is soft on a flat pitch, it's tough to stop runs. With the harder ball, wickets come easier. That second new ball spell changed the game for us," he further said, explaining his mantra.
Apart from the bowlers, skipper Gill played a starring role as his 430 runs helped India score huge totals in both innings.
