Ind vs Eng 2nd Test | 'They have already shown their true character in no time': Kiran More on Team India

Kiran More. Pic/Ashish Raje

Former national chief selector and ex-wicketkeeper-batter Kiran More, who played an important role the last time an Indian team avoided defeat in a Test at Birmingham in 1986, reckons it's a new beginning for Indian cricket after Shubman Gill & Co dominated England for five whole days to win the second Test by a record 336 runs at Edgbaston on Sunday.

More made his Test debut against Mike Gatting's England at Lord's in that three-match series 39 years ago.

At Edgbaston, he scored a crucial 48 and 31 not out besides grabbing four catches behind the stumps as India registered a famous draw at the venue where they had always lost previously. India went on to win the three-Test series 2-0 in dramatic fashion.

"This is a new beginning for Shubman Gill and for Indian cricket. The way they [India] have played in both Tests [Leeds and Birmingham], it has been terrific. During a previous interview, I had said that we have to give this team time. But they have already shown their true character in no time," More, who scored 1,285 runs in 49 Tests and took 110 catches, told mid-day on Monday.

On India's maiden triumph at Birmingham despite the absence of rested pacer Jasprit Bumrah and retired stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, More said: "I give a lot of credit to the [national] selectors and the team management. The way they have handled the situation in the last two Tests has been superb. Indian cricket's future looks very bright. We don't need to jump to conclusions, but we have the talent and must give our youngsters ample opportunities. That's exactly what the selectors have done which is why we are reaping these early benefits."

More now wants Gill & Co to aim for a series win. "We have dominated both Tests. In the first Test [at Leeds], if we would've taken all our catches, we would've won there as well. Winning an away Test is special and it boosts the confidence of everyone in the dressing room. They now need to carry forward this confidence forward and win the series," More, 62, said.