Bisla Defends Gambhir After India's Edgbaston Win
Former Kolkata Knight Riders batter Manvinder Bisla has spoken out in support of Gautam Gambhir following India’s historic Test victory against England at Edgbaston. Bisla criticized the social media users who blamed Gambhir for India’s loss in the first Test but were silent after the emphatic win in the second match.
India lost the opening Test at Headingley under the new leadership of Shubman Gill. Following that defeat, many questioned Gambhir’s influence on team selection. However, the team bounced back strongly in Birmingham, securing a record-breaking 336-run win. It was India’s first-ever Test victory at Edgbaston in 58 years, with Gill scoring 430 runs and earning the Player of the Match award.
After the match, Bisla posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Before the Test: Gautam Gambhir messed up the XI. After the win: Shubman Gill era begins. Narratives change faster than the scorecard. Both are leaders – credit goes to the whole team for this famous win.”
Bisla, who played under Gambhir at KKR from 2011 to 2014, is remembered for his match-winning knock of 89 runs in the 2012 IPL final against Chennai Super Kings, helping KKR win their first title.
India’s win in the second Test not only silenced critics but also marked the first time the team defeated England at Edgbaston. Before this, India had played eight matches at the venue, losing seven and drawing one. The victory was seen as a turning point, especially after the intense criticism the team faced post-Headingley.
Shubman Gill, reflecting on the win, said the team executed all plans perfectly. “All the things we spoke about after the first game, we were spot on with all of those things. Our bowling and fielding was tremendous. On this kind of wicket, we knew if we get 400–500, we’ll be in the game. Not every time we’re going to drop that many catches as we did in Headingley,” Gill said.
India now looks ahead with renewed confidence as the five-match Test series continues, and voices like Bisla’s highlight the importance of patience and perspective in team sports.
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