The way Test captain Shubman Gill batted, the firepower Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj brought with the ball, and the all-round dominance India displayed at Edgbaston has sparked a wave of confidence in the cricketing fraternity. And former India wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer is leading that charge with glowing praise.
“There’s no looking back from here,” Engineer told CricBlogger, moments after India’s emphatic win over England that levelled the series. “I can clearly see 1971 happening again. I can sense the self-belief in this team. Something special is brewing. We’ve got England to hop.”
Expressing his “super duper feeling” about India’s comeback after dropping the opening Test, Engineer was effusive in his praise for the young leadership and bowling unit. “Gill was magnificent, Akash Deep and Siraj were relentless — this is the India team we’ve all been waiting to see.”
With the series now wide open, the momentum has unmistakably swung India’s way — and if the echoes of 1971 are anything to go by, history may just be on their side.
What impressed him most, though, was India’s dominance even without their premier fast bowler. “Mind you, there is no Jasprit Bumrah, and still we win a Test match in this fashion?” he said. “Just imagine when Bumrah is back alongside Akash Deep and Siraj — what will happen to Ben Stokes then?”
Engineer also believes this defeat will rattle England heading into Lord’s. “In my opinion, England are shattered after this loss and must be thinking hard about how to tackle India at Lord’s,” he added.
With momentum firmly on India’s side, and the potential return of Bumrah looming large, the visitors might just be setting the stage for something truly historic — and England know it.
Look at the way Akash Deep moved the ball both ways,” Engineer told CricBlogger. “He was constantly hitting the right areas, which is going to be some bad news for England again.”
Engineer’s admiration for India’s rising stars doesn’t stop at the boundary rope. Recalling a heartwarming personal moment, he shared, “Good things happen with time. It was only last year, when the BCCI honoured me with the Lifetime Achievement Award, that I met this gentleman who asked for a selfie. Later, he told me he was Shubman’s dad.”
“Such a humble man,” Engineer added with a smile. “Next time I meet him, I’ll give him a tight hug.”
From India’s fiery seam attack to its grounded future captain — Engineer believes the blend of talent and humility is shaping something truly special. And as Lord’s approaches, it’s England who will be feeling the heat.
Ultimate team spirit shown by men in Blue. Fantastic batting and captaincy by young and dynamic Shubman Gill. Akashdeep and Siraj just did the splendid work with red leather.
One would have been severely disappointed after the first test loss especially since it was a game to win rather than lose for India .and who would have been most disappointed than the Indian Captain Gill .Imagine how heartbreaking it can and would have been for the team and under a new captain , first test match and away in England .It is rightly said that the rise is only measured as to how much one fell etc etc .come over to the next match, the same smiles ,the same body language of calmness and also comes the match winning performance and a win for the new Captain .Of all the greatest human values , humility and kindness stand next to none .What a victory enshrined in humility and the kindest way to give it back .Well done Team India .Way to go .Many Many Glories and Victories to come
It is a solid win
I love the way India won this match. Akashdeep was my favourite always even in domestic circuit. He always hit the right areas , which is very important for a fast bowler and he bowled with the same pace throughout. Gill is new King. Whole team contributed in this win. It’s a team game.
Absolutely Fantastic Win . The Beauty Is That We Won Without Bhumbra. We Bowled & Batted Better Then England . NOW COME ON LETS WIN THE SERIES
Remarkable win by Team India. Nobody expected this to be such a huge win. Great show.