London, Aug 4 (NationPress) India’s captain Shubman Gill expressed that his team's thrilling six-run victory over England in the fifth Test at The Oval was anchored in their confidence that any minor opportunity they created could pave the way to success.

On the final day of the match, Mohammed Siraj delivered a remarkable performance, claiming 5 wickets for 104 runs as India dismissed England for 367 while chasing a target of 374, thus leveling the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy series at 2-2. At one point, victory seemed out of reach for India, with Joe Root and Harry Brook each scoring centuries. However, Siraj and Prasidh Krishna ensured that the visitors concluded a thrilling Test series triumphantly.

“This morning encapsulated what this team represents. With 70 runs needed and seven wickets in hand, the way Brook and Root were batting, not many teams would have felt optimistic. But this team believes that any slight opening we get, we can capitalize on,” Gill stated during the post-match press conference.

He praised Siraj and Krishna for simplifying his role as captain, explaining why he opted against taking the second new ball. “When you have bowlers like Siraj performing, it makes captaincy a breeze. You just want to appreciate their skill from the sidelines.”

“While we did have the option of a second new ball, the way Siraj and Prasidh were bowling, we felt it was unnecessary. They could deliver results even with an old ball. Plus, we believed we still had wicket-taking opportunities on this pitch,” he added.

“We recognized that pressure was mounting on them. In such moments, the batting side feels the strain because it’s a one-ball game. So, we thought that by prolonging the game, our chances of inducing wicket-taking deliveries would increase,” he elaborated.

For Gill, the stunning victory at The Oval served as a potent reminder of the need for composure amid the ups and downs of sports. “Moments like this reaffirm why the journey is worthwhile, especially the events of this morning. There are many highs and lows expected in sports,” he noted.

“In every match or innings, you aspire to perform and score centuries. However, that is not how sports or life operates. One must navigate through the peaks and valleys while striving to maintain balance,” he continued.

“I firmly believe in the importance of staying balanced, regardless of whether we win or lose, or whether I perform well or not. It’s a challenging process, but that’s the essence of the journey – achieving balance. I’m still learning, but thus far, so good,” he concluded.