Former England cricketer Owais Shah has applauded Team India for doing well with the bat during the first two Tests at Headingley and Edgbaston. He also shared how former India captain Virat Kohli wasn’t missed as the batting unit stepped up and delivered in English conditions as well. His comments came after the tourists beat England by 336 runs in the second Test at Edgbaston to level the five-match series at 1-1 as well.

Speaking to TalkSport’s YouTube channel, Owais Shah said: “He’s an outstanding player, an outstanding talent. I think going into the series, a lot of people said that, you know, the void left by Virat Kohli, who was easily one of the best players ever to have played the game, will certainly be felt. But let me tell you, no one is talking about Virat Kohli, unfortunately. I mean, I love watching him bat, but that batting lineup of India has really stood up tall and you got to take your hat off to them and they’ve said, you know what, well done.”

“(On Gill) He hasn’t just ticked the boxes. I mean, he has absolutely smashed it. I mean to get so many runs, leading run scorer in the test matches so far, has not looked in trouble whatsoever with pace, with seam. Well, there has been no seam, but he’s just been outstanding, and to do that in his first Test match as captain, first time in England. You got to take your hat off to him,” he further added. “Rishabh Pant, another one who I think has batted with maturity, responsibility, yet in his own manner. He’s flamboyant, uh, but he has done really well to bat at number 5 in the manner he bats and to get the amount of runs he’s got. That is just as good as what Shubman Gill has achieved.”

However, Owais Shah also applauded England speedster Jofra Archer, keeping him in the same bracket as the World No.1-ranked Test bowler Jasprit Bumrah as well. He has backed the English pacer to make his Test return for the first time since 2021.

“Well, I’m not sure why you would think it’s a risk to play Jofra Archer. Jofra is in the Test squad. He’s probably the quickest bowler in the squad. Of course, he’s up there with Jasprit Bumrah. I know he’s very fast as well. I think it’s a no-brainer to play Jofra Archer as long as the pitch suits England. I think that you can play who you want, but the conditions should be helping the home team, and they certainly haven’t helped the home team in the first two Test matches. Yes, I know England won the first Test, but I still feel that the conditions are favoring the batsmen a little bit too much,” Owais Shah concluded.