'Gill played very well': Woakes lauds India skipper after opening day of IND vs ENG 2nd Test

TimesofIndia.com successful Birmingham: India finished a hard-fought opening time of the 2nd Test astatine Edgbaston connected 310-5, led by a masterful unbeaten 114 from caller skipper Shubman Gill. Walking successful with unit mounting and the little bid exposed, Gill played a measured and mature sound to usher India retired of trouble. He recovered an perfect spouse successful Ravindra Jadeja, who stood steadfast with a gritty 41 not out, arsenic the duo stitched unneurotic an unbroken 99-run basal to dependable the innings aft 2 speedy wickets post-tea near India teetering astatine 211-5.

Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal besides made a beardown impression, scoring a fluent 87 connected a existent batting aboveground earlier falling against the tally of play. England’s bowlers toiled nether sunny skies and connected a level pitch, but recovered capable moments to enactment successful the contest. Chris Woakes, who returned respectable figures of 2-59, reflected connected the time by acknowledging Gill's quality. “He played precise well, bully for his team. We were adjacent to getting him a mates of times, but helium looked successful control,” Woakes told reporters astatine the extremity of the day's play. Woakes explained England’s rationale for bowling first, citing favourable conditions: “We saw the wicket, and determination was a small spot of grass. We thought it would bash a bit.

300/7 would person been a large time connected a precise bully batting surface. Hopefully we tin interruption this concern and past into the tail.” Captain Ben Stokes continued his bold approach, opting to vessel archetypal for the 10th clip successful 11 location flip wins. While India capitalised with coagulated partnerships, England’s hopes present hinge connected an aboriginal breakthrough connected time 2 to exposure India’s tail. The Gill-Jadeja basal remains crucial, and with India holding the momentum, England volition beryllium anxious to displacement the equilibrium quickly.