India skipper Shubman Gill attributed his side's conviction and determination for their nail-biting six-run win against England in the fifth Test at The Oval, a triumph that made them level the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy series 2-2.
India successfully defended a 374 target on the fifth day, dismissing England for 367 despite Joe Root and Harry Brook scoring centuries.
Mohammed Siraj spearheaded the bowling effort with a five-wicket return (5/104), while Prasidh Krishna came in to add crucial support as the visitors won in dramatic fashion.
This morning sort of summed up what this team is all about. 70-odd runs, seven wickets in hand. The manner in which Brook and Root were batting, not many teams in the world would have given themselves a chance. But this team feels that whenever we have some kind of an opening, we can make it and get through that opening," Gill said in Brisbane during the post-match conference.
He said that after Brook was sent packing, the team felt they had a chance and were eager to take advantage of the pressure mounting against England. "That's what we were discussing after Brook got out and then we were given a early wicket of (Jacob) Bethell, that this is our chance, let's try to put pressure on them.". Another wicket here, and who knows, it's cricket, still 70 odd runs on day 4, on such a wicket, or even 50 runs, they will be under pressure.
Gill also spoke about the contribution of his fast bowlers, especially Siraj and Krishna, and the reasoning behind not having taken the second new ball during the turning point in the match.
But when you've got bowlers like him (Siraj) bowling, it makes your job as a captain very simple. You're just standing out there, and you just want to enjoy their bowling," he stated.
"Firstly, yes, we did have an option of (getting) a second (fresh) ball. But I felt that the manner in which Siraj and Prasidh were bowling, we didn't feel the need for a new ball. They can get the job done for us even if it's an 84-year-old ball. Secondly, we felt that we still have the wicket-taking options on this wicket," he further added.
Gill described that their plan was to prolong the game and take advantage of the pressure on the batting team. "We knew there was a lot of pressure on them. In this kind of situation, there will always be more pressure on the batting side because it is a one-ball game. So we believed the longer we prolong the game, the greater chance we will have to deliver wicket-taking deliveries."
Looking back at the magnitude and emotional significance of the victory, Gill discussed the significance of composure and keeping a level head amid victory and defeat.
"I think there are times like these, where you feel the journey is worth it, the moment that we had this morning. There have been a lot of ups and downs, and that's kind of inevitable, particularly with sport."
Each game or each time you come into bat, you want to be able to deliver, you want to be able to score a century. But in life or the game, that is not how it works. You can be able to go through the ups and downs of life and try to remain balanced at all times.
"That's what, at least I think so, that I wish to be able to remain grounded, whatever we have won the match, lost the match, I've performed well, or I haven't performed well. It's tough, but it's a process. That's the actual journey, to be able to remain grounded. I'm still in the process of learning, but so far, so good," he added.
