India captain Shubman Gill on managing Bumrah ahead of second England test at Edgbaston

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India captain Shubman Gill on managing Bumrah ahead of second England test at Edgbaston   01/07/2025  Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham, UK

Transcript

00:00Cameras, are we good to go?

00:09Guys, before we continue, please put your phones on silent.

00:13We'll take questions from this side first,

00:15and then we'll move on to questions from this side.

00:17Who wants to go first?

00:19Hi, Captain.

00:21Yesterday, Ryan said that the game is grappling with finding the right balance

00:27between taking 20 wickets and showing up the batting.

00:30In that context, what is the team combination

00:33and what Boomerabai is definitely available.

00:39We just want to see how to manage this workload

00:42in the upcoming test matches.

00:44And yes, we are trying to find the right combination

00:47where we can take 20 wickets and score runs as well on these kind of wickets.

00:52We just thought we're going to have a final look today

00:55once we come to the ground and see what kind of combination

00:57that we want to go with tomorrow.

01:01Can you tell us about the first test match,

01:04how do you address the team?

01:10Because in the four days,

01:13there was some mistakes in the last day,

01:15there was a test match,

01:17and there was some mistakes in between.

01:19In this moment, how do you address your team?

01:21Do you have a good match when you have a good match,

01:23but you have to go with a little mistakes?

01:26Yes, you said that there are many moments in the match,

01:30but I think those moments are not good,

01:33they won't have a bad match.

01:35So when you play against such a team,

01:39and you have to make sure that you are doing good,

01:42you are doing good,

01:43and you are doing good,

01:44and you don't have to go completely out of the game.

01:48And on the day 5,

01:50we all knew that it wouldn't be so easy,

01:52maybe 300 in the half-board,

01:54but there was no help in the wickets,

01:56and we needed to keep consistently tight lines,

02:00which I think we put in the first session,

02:02because we had a good match in the first session,

02:04and they didn't score so many runs in the first session.

02:08But we had seen that,

02:10especially in this round,

02:11that when the ball is full,

02:12it becomes easy to make runs,

02:14and if you are not getting out of the wickets,

02:16it becomes very difficult.

02:18So that's why we had good bowling,

02:20consistent bowling,

02:21but because we didn't have wickets,

02:23and we didn't have half-chances,

02:25we didn't have half-chances in the last session.

02:27In the entire period,

02:29we dropped some catches,

02:30but it's not easy to keep in the victor,

02:32when you constantly drop catches,

02:35especially when the chances are creating bowlers,

02:37but I think overall,

02:39there were a lot of positives in the last match.

02:42I think there was no wicket in the 200 runs,

02:44and after that,

02:45the way we came in the game,

02:47we felt that if a match goes to one wicket,

02:49then the match will be good,

02:51and the chances are going to be interesting match.

02:54Shupat, your first series as a captain,

02:57and how difficult it is,

02:59or how challenging it is,

03:01when you know that prior to the series,

03:03that you are the best wicket-ticker,

03:05and the best wicket-ticker,

03:06they will not only have three matches,

03:07and the whole series will be available.

03:08How do you address this in planning?

03:11It's difficult,

03:13but at the end of the day,

03:15we picked this team,

03:17these are the best players in India.

03:19We have the best players in India,

03:21and the best players in India.

03:25So,

03:26as I said,

03:28it's difficult,

03:29but

03:30it's not impossible to do that.

03:32The other bowlers have performed very well.

03:35That's why they are playing for the country,

03:37and luckily,

03:39we have a great talent,

03:40a great pool.

03:41And,

03:42that's why,

03:43that's why,

03:44we are playing at home,

03:46so,

03:47we are competing very well in other teams,

03:50so,

03:51we are doing so close matches.

03:52Yes sir.

03:53You have talked about catching,

03:55Captain,

03:56but,

03:57what did you tell us,

03:58if you were sitting in sleep,

03:59why is the problem in England?

04:00Why is the problem in England?

04:02Is there a ball swing behind the wicket?

04:05Why is it so difficult?

04:06Yes sir,

04:07this is a factor,

04:08that wicket behind the wicket,

04:09there is a ball swing behind the wicket.

04:10And,

04:11you can see,

04:12there is a problem here,

04:13especially when the fielders are standing in the square,

04:16or the wicket are standing behind the wicket.

04:18They are also on the ball side,

04:20and,

04:21as well as the back stands,

04:24or the back visuals,

04:26so,

04:27sometimes,

04:28the ball is a very late side,

04:29or then there is no side from behind,

04:30or not there is a good side from behind.

04:32So,

04:33these are some factors,

04:35sometimes you can see some ball swing behind the wicket,

04:38and,

04:40if not the sides of the wicket,

04:42It is difficult to catch but at the end of the day, we all know that it is difficult to sight and ball swing too.

04:50It is difficult but we all have practiced that.

04:54Sometimes it happens that in a match, it happens that it happens that it happens that it happens that it happens that 5-7 catches.

05:01It happens that it happens that hopefully it will not happen.

05:05Shubman, we will implement our learnings and leads.

05:10You have also seen the pitch here and talked about the coach and the assistant coach also talked about the two spinners.

05:16How are you looking at the line-up in practice sessions?

05:21Usually, we do not see that all the players are doing everything.

05:25We have seen all the squad doing everything.

05:28What kind of line-up are you thinking?

05:30In the last match, it is not like that.

05:34You have seen two spinners in England.

05:37But the weather is not typical.

05:41The weather is not so typical.

05:42The weather is not so good.

05:43The weather is not so good.

05:44The weather is also very good.

05:45In the last match, we also feel that if we have an extra spinners in fourth inning,

05:47then the game is more good.

05:49There were some patches in the wicket that we can exploit.

05:53And when we were playing Jaddubhai, we felt that the chances are being created.

05:58And we also felt that it is easier for the spinners than fast bowlers.

06:03Especially when the ball is full.

06:05And in these conditions, the ball is not going to be a swing after 30-40 over.

06:10The wickets are also good for betting.

06:12So if fast bowlers don't create enough chances for fast bowlers,

06:18then we feel that maybe a second spinner on these kinds of wickets

06:22If you don't create any chances,

06:25then at least take a run and contain the second ball.

06:28And then there will be more chances.

06:30So looking at the last match,

06:32I thought that maybe if there is a similar wicket here,

06:35like in the last match,

06:36then a second spinner won't be a bad option.

07:01They are difficult calls for sure.

07:03But I think you have to kind of manage if you're going with an extra spinner.

07:07The only thing that then you have to see is

07:09how do you manage them on day one if you are bowling on day one.

07:12And ideally, if at all there is anything on these kind of wickets,

07:16it is on day one in the first session or first couple of sessions.

07:20So taking a call on that and see how would you manage your second spinner,

07:24especially on day one,

07:25is the main call that you have to take on these kind of wickets.

07:29What is your call on that?

07:31You will get to know about it tomorrow.

07:34Captain,

07:36we saw the pace bowlers in the last match,

07:38that it has been a little bit of time to settle.

07:43So pace and the slope is also a challenge.

07:45What is the pace bowlers doing with pace bowlers?

07:49What is the pace of the game that you have to do with in the end of the game?

07:53Of course, you're doing a lot of work with the game individually with the game.

07:55So in this match,

07:56at least it'll be acclimatized or custom.

07:57So what is the pace of the game that you have to do with the game?

07:58Important thing is that in England,

08:02in England's batting line-up, how consistently you can put it in one area.

08:07If you have a little lose ball or a good ball,

08:10then sometimes as a bowler, consistently,

08:13when the ball or wicket doesn't happen,

08:16it's difficult to put it in one area.

08:18The main thing is that we can put it consistently in one area.

08:25We have seen that the square of the wicket run is easy.

08:28Comparatively, the square of the wicket run or the back run,

08:32they're not making so many runs,

08:33so we can see how much we can play in front of them.

08:51Not really, because I think we knew prior to the series

08:54that he would only be playing three test matches,

08:56so we had all the possible different combinations that we might go with

08:59depending on what kind of wicket that we are playing with prior to the series.

09:03So you definitely do miss your best bowler if he's not playing,

09:09but I think we kind of had that sorted before the series

09:12that he would be playing if he would not be playing.

09:15Yeah.

09:16Shubhan, in the first test we saw that the conditions for batting

09:20were pretty decent through the match,

09:21and you said you're expecting more of the same in this match also.

09:25So considering your top order did well,

09:28and you also have good batting conditions,

09:30what is the ideal depth?

09:31Like, do you need batting till 8, 9,

09:33or does that give you the option for going to 4, to your wicket?

09:37Ideally, yes, you would want to have your betting depth till 7,

09:42or if your 8 can bat a little bit.

09:44But if you're going till 9, I think it's difficult to take 20 wickets

09:47on these kind of wickets that we are playing on.

09:49So it's about finding the right combination for that particular condition

09:55and that particular ground.

09:57And I think if we are able to go with 4 or 5 premier bowlers

10:03with maybe a sixth bowling option

10:05and then have a batting till 7 or 8,

10:07I think that would be a good combination for us.

10:10Shubhan, twice or thrice in Leeds,

10:12India had the opportunity to bat England out of the game.

10:153.50, 4.30 for 3, 3.50 for 5.

10:18England lower order between 7 and 10, 112 runs,

10:22hours between 15 and 20.

10:25Has there been any specific talk on that,

10:27that the lower order needs to be more involved

10:29and contribute and not throw away their wickets?

10:31Is there any thought or any discussion on that?

10:34Yes, sir, definitely.

10:36It's been one of the things that we always talk about,

10:39especially with our betting depth that our betting lower order

10:43sometimes isn't able to contribute as much as the other teams.

10:47But having said that, you can also look at the other side as well.

10:51I was betting on 147 and the way I got out,

10:53maybe I could have scored 50 more runs partnership with Rishabh.

10:58If you get a good ball and you get out, that's fine.

11:00But once you are set and you know that you don't really have that much depth in your betting order,

11:05maybe the top order could take a little bit of more responsibility

11:10and bat completely out of the game.

11:12So I think these are different perspectives to look at the game.

11:15But definitely your lower order when your last five or six doesn't contribute as much,

11:22then it becomes easier for the opposition to come back in the game.

11:25Shuman, you mentioned about Bumrah's last-minute call.

11:30Rahan also said that yesterday.

11:32So the whole makeup of the bowling combination,

11:35how much does it affect the others around him?

11:37Will it be a straight swap with someone?

11:39Or will Bumrah's unavailability affect the kind of spinner you would want?

11:43A wicket-taking spinner or a run-holding spinner?

11:45And does that lead to confusion on the morning of the match?

11:48Because you will be taking that call at the last moment as everyone is saying.

11:51So we will take that call this evening.

11:53And I don't think it will be a right, it will be a direct swap.

11:57It wouldn't change the combination as such.

12:00So you are clear which spinner you want to play?

12:02Yes, kind of. Just want to see the wicket.

12:05I haven't seen the wicket today.

12:06Just want to see the wicket one last time before we decide on the playing 11 in the evening.

12:12Sushabh, before the last test you had said that you are willing to play 4-10 in the evening.

12:18Is it time yet?

12:21And secondly, what was your experience as a captain?

12:24What is something that you felt you did well?

12:27And what are the lessons that you've been from?

12:30A lot of lessons, like when we were batting, like I said,

12:35I felt I could have, now looking back at it, the kind of shot that I played,

12:40I felt I could have batted a little bit more.

12:42Had a more, maybe 50 run partnership out there with Rishabh.

12:45That was my learning from when I was batting.

12:48And when we were bowling, there were learnings like,

12:52once the ball is getting old and it's getting soft,

12:55there isn't much happening, so how would you contain

12:59or how would you control the run flow, especially with the way they bat.

13:03And like I mentioned, maybe having an extra spinner might help contain that run flow,

13:10especially in the third or in the fourth innings.

13:13Last question.

13:14I mean, like, yes, we did play an extra bowler, I would say,

13:24like a proper, a fourth bowling all-rounder in the last match.

13:29And now having to look back at it, I think nobody really expects that,

13:36you know, your last six is going to get out in under 40 runs.

13:39Even if they play bad, you expect maybe score 100 runs or 80 runs.

13:43And these are things that you can't really plan or you can't really expect,

13:47but you can reflect on those things.

13:49And we have some things in mind on how, if we are in this kind of a situation again,

13:55how we can get better at it.

13:57So, I mean, are you willing to play now four ten-enders to get 20 wickets as cheaply as possible?

14:02Yes, definitely. It's always, our first priority would always be on these kind of wickets,

14:07how we can get 20 wickets rather than playing that extra better.

14:12Yes.

14:13Captain, in the first test, I think you batted very well.

14:15And for most of the match, your team played really well.

14:17And in the end, you still lost.

14:19So, for the second test, does that make you feel worried or sad?

14:24Not really. I mean, you definitely feel disappointed, you know, having,

14:29we were on top of our game for four days and the last day didn't go as planned.

14:38There was a little bit of disappointment for sure, but there were a lot of positives as well.

14:44And it also gives you the confidence that we were very close.

14:49There were some key moments in the game where I felt we could have really nailed it

14:54and maybe batted England out of the game or we could have left the losing scenario out of the game

15:03and either it could have been a draw or a win for us.

15:06There were chances where we could have really done that.

15:09And having to look back at it now, I feel there were a lot of positives for us

15:16and we were really close in the game.

15:18So, as a captain or as a player, you would always want to look at the positives

15:23that where we were really good, how we can improve on the things that we were not so good at.

15:29You need it to be 1-1 though, don't you, captain?

15:32Sorry?

15:331-1 would seem good, 2-0 would be hard.

15:36As a team or as a captain, you would always, you would want to go into a test match

15:43to be able to win a test match.

15:45You never go into a test match thinking you want to go for a draw

15:48or you want to go out there experimenting something.

15:51We want to make sure that we play the best combination possible for that situation

15:59and we definitely want to win this test match and the series.

16:03Shubhan, this current lot of Duke's ball, is it difficult to get wickets once the ball gets older?

16:10Because we heard during the WTC final also that once it gets old, it gets softer as well.

16:17So it's difficult to get wickets.

16:20And secondly, as far as Bumrah is concerned, was it pre-decided that which all test matches would he play?

16:28Or are you taking it match by match?

16:31Firstly, it was not pre-decided because there was a bit of a gap between first and second.

16:36If there would have been first two matches together, then gap, then it would have been kind of pre-decided.

16:41But because there was a gap between the test match, we thought, you know, we'd see how the test matches go.

16:47There might be a scenario where a test match gets over in three days or it gets washed out or rained out.

16:52So we didn't want to go into the series pre-deciding on that.

16:57So what was the other question?

17:00The Duke's ball.

17:02I've spoken to some of the players who were part of the 2018-2019 series and they said the balls were slightly different in that series.

17:13Even in the 21 series as well, that the ball was doing a little bit more.

17:17The ball stopped doing between 40 to 60, but then 60 to 80, the ball started doing again a little bit.

17:23And in this match that we played, and even in WTC that we saw, after the 40 overs or 45 overs, the ball becomes quite soft.

17:35So even if there is something happening from the ball because it's soft, there's not enough from the ball where you keep creating chances from the ball.

17:47Final question.

17:48I don't know what your cricket history is like, but are you aware of India's record on this ground and why you should have never won it in test cricket?

17:57I don't really believe, and I think – I don't know how many tests we would have played, but I'm sure it would have been over a period of 40, 50, 60 years.

18:06And the teams that might have played those seven, ten tests, how many ever tests we have played would have been different, and the England team also would have been different.

18:16I believe this – the Indian cricket team that has come here is the best Indian cricket team, and we are able to beat any side.

18:25Thank you very much.

18:26Thank you very much.

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