Gill turned the series upside down with a sublime 269 in the first innings and followed it up with another commanding 161, while Deep returned match figures of 10 for 187 to script India\u2019s series-leveling 336-run triumph \u2014 a performance that left much of the cricketing world in awe.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas, whose own 274 at Edgbaston in 1971 remains iconic, was particularly delighted to see Gill flourish at the same ground.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI am delighted to see Gill bat with such authority and discipline to score three centuries in two Tests in English conditions,\u201d Zaheer told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cGill hitting a double hundred at Edgbaston reminded me of my first outing there in 1971. It\u2019s tough for Asian players to bat in England, but the way he batted left me impressed and delighted. He was in complete control and played every bowler with consummate ease. It was world-class stuff \u2014 and to double that up with another hundred to set up the win was remarkable.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Zaheer, often called the \u2018Asian Bradman\u2019, predicted a luminous future for the Indian captain. \u201cGill is technically very sound and has outstanding concentration. He promises a great future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan's legendary left-arm pacer Wasim Akram was equally effusive in praise for Akash Deep and was struck by the seamer's temperament and skill.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI saw little of the Edgbaston Test and later checked the scorecard, as I am on holiday in the UK,\u201d Wasim shared. \u201cObviously, he has taken ten wickets on a flat deck\u2014that shows the boy has got some potential.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Wasim stressed that Deep\u2019s achievement was magnified by the context. \u201cIt was a pressure match, and when you are replacing a bowler of Bumrah\u2019s stature, it doubles down. Taking ten wickets is great on a pitch where there were big totals, and the way Gill, (Jamie) Smith, and (Harry) Brook batted. He has got pace and bowls with energy and heart, so it will help him establish himself in the team.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India had gone into the second Test of the match trailing 0-1 and without their pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. The move had drawn criticism from various quarters but ultimately proved inspired as Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj stepped up. Siraj picked up six wickets in the first innings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Wasim stressed that Deep\u2019s achievement was magnified by the context. \u201cIt was a pressure match, and when you are replacing a bowler of Bumrah\u2019s stature, it doubles down. Taking ten wickets is great on a pitch where there were big totals, and the way Gill, (Jamie) Smith, and (Harry) Brook batted. He has got pace and bowls with energy and heart, so it will help him establish himself in the team.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India\u2019s triumph was as much about resilience as it was about talent, and the endorsement from two of Pakistan\u2019s greatest only underscored the scale of the achievement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n