Trisha Ghosal in Birmingham
India asserted complete control over the Test match with a relentless display of pace bowling under fading Birmingham light. After Shubman Gill’s imperious second-innings ton helped set England a towering target of 608, it was the seamers — led by Akash Deep — who lit up Edgbaston, blowing away the English top-order. Bowling coach Morne Morkel, addressing the media at day’s end, was visibly pleased with how his attack executed plans.
Dream delivery: On Akash Deep’s ball to Root
“That’s the sort of delivery you dream of as a fast bowler,” Morkel said of the peach that cleaned up Joe Root. “Top of off, just enough movement — absolutely world-class. It shows the kind of skill Akash brings and how well he’s adapted to these conditions.”
Siraj: The heartbeat of the attack
Asked about Mohammed Siraj’s role, Morkel was glowing in his praise. “He’s a guy I have immense respect for. He’ll always push his limits. In this Test, he’s taken on the leadership of the attack, and he’s delivered. Sometimes the numbers don’t reflect the effort, but his intent and energy set the tone.”
The Prasidh ploy in the 1st innings: A calculated risk
On Prasidh Krishna’s brief spell of short-pitched bowling, Morkel explained, “We tried something different for a couple of overs. You don’t want to be too predictable on this kind of a surface. It didn’t come off, but it was a calculated risk.”
Declaration timing: All about balance
“We spoke a lot through the day about when to declare,” Morkel revealed. “It was still a decent wicket, so the idea was to get enough runs on the board and then have a crack with the new ball. And it worked — those early wickets were key.”
Pitch conditions: Familiar feel, familiar dominance
“It’s the kind of pitch our bowlers are used to back home,” Morkel said. “And they’ve used it really well. If these surfaces bring out the best in our quicks, I think it’s great for the game.”
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