 "'We were put under tremendous pressure': Shubman Gill lauds Team India's grit in clinching a draw in Manchester")
Indian captain Shubman Gill cut out an elated figure following the culmination of the Manchester Test, which ended in a draw. Gill led from the front in the critical phase of the game and scored a crucial century knock in the second innings that laid the foundation for the result. The match was still hanging in balance when he got out at 103 on Day 5, but Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar batted brilliantly in the final two sessions to salvage a satisfying outcome for the team.
With injuries piling up ahead of the Test and Rishabh Pant sustaining a foot fracture on Day 1 of the Test, nothing was going India’s way, but the players believed in themselves and backed their ability to turn the tide from any situation. The match might have ended in a draw, but given the precarious affairs they dealt, this draw is nothing less than a win. It may lift the spirits of the team, which could inspire them to put their best foot forward in the final Test of the series, slated to take place at the Oval.
Shubman Gill impressed with his team’s batting performance
A delighted Indian captain raved about the batting performance of the team and hailed their defiance as they were at the end of a lot of pressure.
“Extremely pleased with the batting effort. Past couple of days we were put under tremendous pressure. It’s all about taking the wicket out of the equation. Day 5 wicket, something is happening, every ball is kind of an event. Wanted to take it ball by ball and take the game as deep as possible, which is what we spoke about.”
Gill on Stokes offering a draw in the final session
In the final session of the match, England captain Ben Stokes offered a draw to India when both Jadeja and Sundar were in their respective 80s, while Stokes’ offering comes under the rules of the game, India denied the early handshake and gave the batters the opportunity to complete their respective hundreds. Gill spoke about the incident after the end of the match.
“We thought they (Jadeja and Sundar) batted brilliantly, they were in their 90s, we thought they deserved a century there (about the decision to not shake hands). Every match going till the last session on the last day. So many learnings. Each Test match teaches you something different. It has taught us a lot as a group. Hopefully we can win the next match and draw the series.”
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