Shubman Gill, the young Indian cricketer facing criticism, silenced his detractors with a stunning performance on Day 3 of the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam, where he scored his third Test century. Gill’s timely return to form came as a relief, especially considering his recent struggles in the red-ball format. Stepping up when the top-order faltered, Gill’s innings proved instrumental in India’s second innings.
His innings didn’t start smoothly, with early dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal adding pressure. Initially cautious against James Anderson’s accurate bowling, Gill survived a couple of close calls, including a fortunate inside edge ruling out an LBW decision. However, instead of letting these scares affect him, Gill grew in confidence.
His innings took a decisive turn when he started to assert himself, taking on the bowlers with aggression. Gill’s fifty came in just sixty deliveries, a testament to his newfound confidence. This innings was crucial as his Test career had been marred by low scores recently, with his average dropping below 30 before this match.
Gill’s last notable innings had been against Australia in March 2023, and since then, he has struggled to make an impact. However, in this innings, he showcased his ability to switch gears effortlessly, displaying both composure and aggression when needed.
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After the lunch break, Gill continued to bat sensibly, especially after the fall of a couple more wickets. Partnering with Axar Patel, he rotated the strike before launching an attack on the bowlers, particularly Rehan Ahmed. His positive intent was evident as he dispatched the leg-spinner for a six and two boundaries in consecutive deliveries.
Finally, Gill reached his century in the 52nd over, off his 132nd delivery, marking a significant milestone in his Test career. His innings couldn’t have come at a better time, given the mounting pressure and calls for his exclusion from the Test squad due to recent failures.
