Stuart Broad, a former English cricketer, believed that Shubman Gill was very close to surpassing Brian Lara’s 400* based on the Indian red-ball captain’s batting performance in the opening innings of the second Test match between England and India. In the end, Gill scored 269 runs off 387 deliveries in an innings that included three sixes and 30 fours.
The former England player also commended Gill’s move to No. 4 following Virat Kohli’s retirement from the format and believed that Gill’s batting technique was unflappable. According to Stuart Broad, the young player has benefited from the batting order relegation by scoring runs against his total, which ultimately helps the Indian side not only score runs but also gain an advantage at key points in the match.
“India, in my opinion, were excellent. It’s easy to criticise the opposing team, which at the moment is England, when Test match cricket results are so lopsided, but India was just outstanding. Honestly, it seemed like Shubman Gill may have gotten Lara’s record with 269.
All he was doing was cruising. On a For The Love Of Cricket podcast, Stuart Broad said, “It didn’t seem like anything could trouble him.”
Since Kohli retired, he has gone to a hundred, huge double [hundred], and big 150. “Gosh, that move to [number] four.” He spent the majority of his career opening the batting. It appears that he has no flaws at all,” the renowned pacer continued.
After his brilliant knock in the first innings, Gill didn’t just stop. He continued to gain ground in the second innings, scoring 161 off 162 to total 430 runs for the Test. India ultimately levelled the series at Edgbaston with a commanding 336-run victory.
From England’s perspective, this was a devastating blow. They earned a five-wicket victory over the Gill-led team to raise their spirits going into the match. To reclaim their advantage, Ben Stokes and company will want to perform better against the visitors.
The Home of Cricket will host the third Test match of the intense series. England would want to enter with an extra edge and take full advantage of the pace-bowling conditions at Lord’s with Jofra Archer back.
Home