How Peaky Blinders and a journalist’s jab fired up Shubman Gill at Edgbaston

In the summer of 2025, Shubman Gill led India to their first Test victory at Edgbaston, overcoming the weight of past failures. A journalist's question about India's poor record at the venue fueled Gill's determination. His match-winning innings not only secured the win but also etched Birmingham as a special chapter in his cricketing journey.

India's captain Shubman Gill (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Shubman Gill will always carry a special bond with Birmingham. It was at Edgbaston, during the summer of 2025, that he produced his highest Test score as captain and led India to their first ever win at the famous venue. The story of that triumph began even before a ball was bowled. At the pre-match press conference, a journalist reminded Gill of India’s poor record at Edgbaston, pointing out that teams before him had faltered at this ground. Gill listened with his usual composure, offering a measured reply that reflected his stoic mindset. He said every game was a fresh challenge and history should not cloud the present. But as Gill later revealed while speaking on a podcast with Apple Music, that question stuck with him and quietly fuelled his determination.

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When the Test began, Gill let his bat do the talking. His innings set the tone, lifting India out of early pressure and giving them control of a match that many thought would slip away like the past. His knock wasn’t just about runs—it carried the weight of history, the burden of expectation, and the cool defiance of a captain determined to change the narrative.

Poll

Do you think the question from the journalist before the match affected Gill's performance?

Yes, it motivated him No, he would have performed well anyway

Away from cricket, Gill had already developed a liking for Birmingham. He admired the city’s vibe, its cultural blend, and even admitted to being a fan of Peaky Blinders, the series that painted Birmingham with a raw, historic edge. After India’s victory, he confessed the place now held far more meaning. It was no longer just a city he admired from afar, but one where he had carved out a chapter of Indian cricket history. For Gill, the triumph was destiny fulfilled. The journalist’s question about failure at Edgbaston had become the spark. His reply had been calm, but his performance was emphatic. And as he told Apple Music, that win will always remain the moment where Birmingham became a part of his own cricketing story.

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