Team India batsman Shubman Gill believes that the hosts’ outstanding speed bowling performance has been the key difference in the India-England Test series thus far.
India leads the five-match series, 2-1. They lost the first Test in Hyderabad by 28 runs, but recovered admirably to win the following two and grab the important lead. Jasprit Bumrah has the most wickets in the series (17), while Mohammed Siraj took four in the first innings at Rajkot.
Shubman Gill spoke during a press conference before of the fourth Test in Ranchi, which begins on Friday, February 23, about the team’s bowling approach, praising the fast bowlers in particular.
“In India, wherever we play, there is some help for spinners. Our strategy will be the same as the previous games. It also depends on who wins the toss. Our spinners Ash bhai [Ravichandran Ashwin] and Jaddu bhai [Ravindra Jadeja] always take wickets here. But the way our fast bowlers have bowled has been the difference in the series.”
Shubman Gill
The 24-year-old conceded that India will miss the skills of Bumrah, who has been rested for the fourth Test. He did, however, support Siraj to lead the assault in Bumrah’s absence.
“Just like [Virat] Kohli, Bumrah is also a big player and will be missed. He is the leader of our pace attack, but I think the way Mohammad Siraj has bowled, especially in the last [first] innings of the Rajkot Test match, claiming four wickets at a very crucial time, (it was really good). All the bowlers have experience in Indian conditions.”
Shubman Gill
Siraj took 4/84 in the first innings at Rajkot, as England collapsed from 224/2 to 319 all out.
“Players are getting opportunities because of it” – Shubman Gill on Kohli’s absence
While Bumrah will miss the fourth Test, veteran batsman Virat Kohli has skipped the entire series to be with his family for the birth of his second kid. Shubman Gill said that Kohli’s absence is a significant loss, but chose to focus on the positives.
“When a player like Virat bhai is missing, it does make a difference. But, I think Sarfaraz [Khan] came in and performed really well. Players are getting opportunities because of it and they are doing pretty well.”
Shubman Gill
Sarfaraz Khan had an excellent debut in the Rajkot Test. He made 62 in the first innings before being run out, and he remained unbeaten on 68 in the second innings as India defeated England by a record 434 runs.