After India’s emphatic 336-run triumph over England at Edgbaston, former India opener Aakash Chopra didn’t hold back. In a sharp critique of England’s approach, Chopra took a direct swipe at head coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes, stating that Shubman Gill’s India made “Bazball lick the dust.”
The win not only leveled the five-match series 1-1, but also marked India’s first-ever Test victory at the iconic Edgbaston ground—a venue where no Asian side had previously won in over two decades of attempts.Gill’s men were clinical across all five days. The young Indian skipper led from the front with a masterclass in batting, hammering 269 in the first innings and following it up with a fluent 161 in the second.
It was a monumental performance, one that deservedly earned him the Player of the Match award. India crossed the 1000-run mark in the match, the first time in their Test history—a testament to their dominance. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra praised the historic win and emphasized how this Indian side is breaking barriers like never before.
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“It was both record-breaking and record-making. This win needs to be celebrated. Whether it was Mohammed Siraj’s opening burst or Akash Deep’s heroics in the second innings, every department fired. Edgbaston was a fortress we had never breached, but we did it with authority,” Aakash Chopra said.
He drew parallels with other historic overseas wins, reminding fans of recent conquests in Cape Town, Perth, and the Gabba. “We’re not just winning—we’re rewriting history,” he added. “And Bazball? We made it eat dust.”
However, Chopra didn’t shy away from raising critical questions regarding India’s team composition heading into the third Test at Lord’s. While praising the bowlers who delivered, he noted the uneven contributions.
“Let’s be pragmatic. Yes, we picked up 20 wickets, but largely through two bowlers. Others didn’t have a huge impact. If Bumrah returns at Lord’s, Prasidh Krishna may sit out.” He also raised concerns about Ravindra Jadeja’s wicket-taking ability in the series so far. “Jadeja has bowled well but hasn’t picked wickets. He’s contributing with the bat, yes, but his bowling returns are underwhelming. And what about Nitish Reddy? He’s playing as a pure batter, not bowling much. Is that the best use of that slot at No. 6?”
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Aakash Chopra further questioned whether Washington Sundar’s batting form justifies his place, or if Kuldeep Yadav could be a better spin option going forward.
“Washy scored some runs, but can Kuldeep offer more in terms of breakthroughs? These are the decisions that will shape the Lord’s Test.”India’s historic win has certainly lifted spirits, but as Chopra aptly points out, the road ahead demands tactical clarity and smart selection calls—especially with the series hanging in the balance.
