Virat Kohli hails India’s Edgbaston triumph, praises Shubman Gill’s twin tons and Akash Deep’s bowling brillia

India finally broke their Edgbaston jinx in emphatic style with a commanding 336-run win over England, levelling the five-match Test series 1-1. The victory, India’s first ever at this venue in Test history, came with standout performances from both the bat and ball—particularly from captain Shubman Gill and pacer Akash Deep.

Gill led from the front with twin centuries—an impressive 269 in the first innings and a rapid 161 in the second—marking the highest overseas Test score by an Indian captain. His confident leadership set the tone for India’s dominant performance. Ravindra Jadeja’s 89 and Rishabh Pant’s 65 added crucial support in the first innings. The team declared in their second innings with a daunting target of 608 for England.

On the bowling front, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep caused early damage to England’s top order. Akash Deep, stepping in for the rested Jasprit Bumrah, made his presence felt with match figures of 10 wickets—4 in the first innings and 6 in the second. He also claimed the final wicket, sealing the historic win. Brydon Carse’s mistimed shot landed safely in Gill’s hands, completing a moment Indian fans had waited 58 years to witness.

Former captain Virat Kohli, though not part of the squad, praised the team’s performance on social media. “Great victory for India at Edgbaston. Fearless and kept pushing England to the wall,” he wrote on X. He also gave “special mention to Siraj and Akash for the way they bowled on this pitch,” while acknowledging Gill’s role with both bat and field leadership.

Rain threatened to spoil the final day’s play, but quick work by the ground staff ensured all sessions resumed. Akash Deep dismissed Ollie Pope early, followed by Prasidh Krishna taking out Harry Brook. Washington Sundar ended Ben Stokes’ resistance before Lunch, and Jamie Smith’s dismissal at 88 dashed any hopes England had of saving the match.

The win not only levelled the series but also reaffirmed India’s depth and resilience. With a young captain and emerging bowlers stepping up, the team now looks forward to carrying the momentum into the remaining matches.