India’s gripping Test match against England in Visakhapatnam resulted in a crucial victory by 106 Runs, leveling the series. The team faced ups and downs, showcasing individual brilliance that ultimately played a pivotal role. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s remarkable double-century and Jasprit Bumrah’s impactful reverse swing highlighted the initial stages, keeping India ahead by 143 runs in the First inning.
Rahul Dravid Applauds Team Resilience:
Head coach Rahul Dravid acknowledged the team’s resilience, crediting these outstanding performances that kept them in the game during the early days. Despite losing a few players and facing pressure, the exceptional efforts from Jaiswal and Bumrah set the tone.
Shubman Gill Shines: Impressive Comeback from Poor Form
In the third inning, Shubman Gill broke free from a run of poor form, scoring a significant century (104 runs). However, Dravid noted the need for more collective contributions, as the next highest score was only 45. The team’s ability to deal with setbacks and emerge victorious was commendable, particularly with under-pressure players like Gill and Shreyas Iyer navigating India to safety.
While India took a substantial first-innings lead of 143, they faced challenges in capitalizing on it due to frequent wicket losses. Dravid praised the batters for handling setbacks effectively, emphasizing the importance of partnerships. The coach highlighted that, despite not being able to force the play, the team soaked up pressure well, leading to crucial partnerships.
Dravid’s Insights on India’s Future Cricket Stars:
Dravid expressed optimism for the team’s future, expecting the young batting group to make better decisions as they gain experience. He acknowledged the acceptance of a few mistakes in exchange for positive intent and emphasized the importance of understanding game situations.
Reflecting on the match, Dravid noted that there was room for improvement, suggesting that the team might have left some runs on the board. He pointed out the challenge of young batsmen still figuring out Test cricket and emphasized the need to adapt quickly to the evolving format.
Dravid Clears the Air on Pitch Debate:
Finally, Dravid addressed the ongoing debate about pitch conditions in India. He clarified that curators are responsible for pitch preparation and expressed a pragmatic approach, stating they adapt to the conditions they are presented with. As the team looks ahead to future matches, lessons from this hard-fought victory provide valuable insights for India’s evolving Test squad.
