With a resolute century in the second innings of the Visakhapatnam Test, Shubman Gill silenced his detractors and cemented his place in the Indian Test team. Gill’s spot at number three was in jeopardy after an ultimatum after a two-ball duck in Hyderabad.
Though there were rumors that Gill would return to domestic cricket to address his shortcomings, the young player had other ideas. His resolve to recover was evident when he told a family member that he was going to play Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy match in Mohali.
According to The Indian Express, he told a member of his family, “I will go and play the Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat in Mohali.”
Gill’s recent struggles at the plate—where he only managed 153 runs in nine innings—have raised questions about his susceptibility to spin and seam movement. Anil Kumble, a former captain of India, openly criticized the squad’s management for giving Gill more opportunities than Cheteshwar Pujara ever had.
“Even though Pujara has played in more than 100 Test matches, Shubman Gill has been given a cushion that perhaps Pujara did not receive. It’s mostly because it was his spot (No. 3) not too long ago that I keep returning to him (Pujara).
Shubman Gill has been batting at number three since Pujara’s appearance in the World Test Championship final. Kumble had stated as much on JioCinema. Pujara had been the opener.
While it may not have been scored perfectly, the century gives Shubman Gill the confidence and time to work on improving his technical weaknesses. Even though he had a few inside edges and a lucky DRS call, he still made the most of his opportunities, showing a tenacity that is characteristic of excellent batters.
Gill bought himself some breathing room and possibly silenced some of his detractors when he passed the crucial century mark. The look of incredulity on his face after he almost avoided death revealed a lot about the struggles he had overcome. Shubman Gill may have reached a turning point in his career with his century in Visakhapatnam, solidifying his spot in the Indian Test team.
At the end of the third day, India maintains a solid lead when talking about the present status of the second Test. In their pursuit of a record chase, England lags behind. Anticipating days four and five of this Test match, it will be intriguing to watch how the English hitters handle the turn and bounce.
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