England Great Expresses 'Sympathy' For Shubman Gill, Says "Not The 1st Captain..."
With Brook and Smith dissecting India's attack, bereft of the world's best Jasprit Bumrah, to set the tone of the contest in England's favour, Atherton had sympathy for Gill. For the former English star, he would have lined up with left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, a move which could have turned India's fortune.
"I've got some sympathy, for sure. Shubman Gill is not the first captain to be put under the pump by the way the England batters play. I have to say, I would have picked a very different attack. I'd have wanted Kuldeep Yadav in my side, if I was captain. They got England to 80-5, but India are stuck a bit at the moment. But it is very difficult when the batters come at you hard," Atherton said on Sky Sports.
Smith blazed his way to 150 in the second session, and Brook joined him for the feat after a couple of overs into the final phase of the day. He pushed the ball for a single to bring up 150. There wasn't any animated celebration from Brook; he shook hands with Smith and continued to push for runs.
The back-breaking 303-run partnership between the explosive duo ended with a rip-roaring delivery from Akash Deep. The ball nipped sharply into Brook, beat the inside edge and rattled the timber, which brought respite for India. Brook received a standing ovation from the spectators at Headingley as he returned to the dressing room with a memorable 158(234).
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