Shubman Gill’s delayed declaration on Day 4 of the Birmingham Test sparked debate, particularly with rain forecasted for the final day. After scoring his second consecutive century of the match, Gill and Team India continued to bat for five more overs post Tea, despite already surpassing a 550-run lead. India eventually declared with a target of 608, a move that puzzled some, given the time lost and weather concerns. The decision came just after Gill smashed back-to-back sixes off Joe Root, hinting that a declaration was imminent.
India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel addressed the issue in a press conference after stumps on Day 4. He explained that the timing was discussed at length within the dressing room, and the team opted to extend their innings slightly to ensure a dominant position. “You can’t control the weather. We were batting at 4-5 runs an over and felt comfortable out there. The extra runs were a bonus, and we wanted around 20-25 overs at them tonight, which we got,” Morkel said, justifying the approach.
The decision seemed vindicated when England crumbled in the final session, losing three wickets to Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep’s fiery new-ball spell. With England needing 536 more runs and only seven wickets in hand, India remain firmly in control despite the looming rain. Morkel remains optimistic, stating that the pitch still offers enough for the bowlers to wrap up a win and level the five-match series 1-1.
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