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Akash Deep reckons that Shubman Gill has done a fine job in his first Test series as India captain.
Akash Deep (left) and Virat Kohli (PTI Photo)
The retirement of batting superstars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli right before the beginning of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle left a huge void. Given their quality and experience, there were doubts over whether a youngish Team India will be able to cope up with the challenging tour of England in their absences. However, the Shubman Gill-led touring party gave an impressive account of their capabilities and potential by finishing the tour on an even keel as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, comprising five Tests, ended 2-2.
Right-arm pacer Akash Deep was among the notable performers, finishing with 13 wickets from three Tests including a match haul of 10 wickets at Edgbaston that helped India to a record win.
The 28-year-old accepts that Kohli did bring a huge transformation in the Test side, one player alone cannot form a team and the next generation is ready to take on the mantle.
“See, it’s a team. I feel one day – we may or may not be part of it, someone will be after us. The team’s atmosphere will continue to be the same. 11 guys form a team, not one. And everyone is important. He took the team to newer heights; everybody saw the transformation that happened (during Kohli’s time). Today, it’s Gill – his first series and the huge achievement. So everyone is doing well” Akash told Aaj Tak.
Kohli Should Have Delayed Retirement?
While the team may have moved on, former India captain and chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar thinks that Kohli could have played in England. Vengsarkar says had he been the chairman of selection committee, he would’ve persuaded Kohli to postpone Test retirement.
“If I were the Indian chief selector, I would have persuaded Virat to bid goodbye to Test cricket after playing the England series. We needed his class and experience in this series,” Vengsarkar told The Times of India.
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital…Read More
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital… Read More
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