During the second innings of the first Test in Hyderabad, Shubman Gill got out on a duck. According to some sources, the team management issued a request, stating that Visakhapatnam would be his final opportunity to secure the No. 3 spot in India’s Test team.
The source also got information indicating that there were discussions regarding Shubman Gill potentially being relegated to domestic cricket to address his shortcomings. However, after scoring a significant hundred in the second innings in Visakhapatnam, the scenario changed.
According to the sources Shubman said to one of his family members, “ I will go and play the Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat in Mohali”.
After a dry spell of runs, Shubman Gill found himself in a challenging position, having amassed only 153 runs in nine innings, with a highest score of 36. His spot in the team was under intense scrutiny as his susceptibility to both spin and seam movement was exposed by the opposition. But his recent century will give him a lot of confidence and opportunity to address and rectify his technical mismatch.
Anil Kumble On Shubman Gill:
After India lost their first Test match against England by 28 runs, Indian Former Captain Anil Kumble criticized Indian Team management for giving Shubman opportunity match after match. He said, “He (Gill) has been given the cushion perhaps even Cheteshwar Pujara didn’t get, although he (Pujara) has played over 100 Tests. “I keep coming back to him (Pujara) mainly because that was his place (No 3) not too long ago. Pujara played in that World Test Championship final and post that, it’s been Shubman Gill, who’s been moving from the opener’s slot, and he wanted to bat at No. 3”.
Despite facing criticism for his failure in batting, Shubman Gill remained resilient and navigated through the challenging phase. He relied on a bit of luck, escaping potential dismissals at least three times in the initial ten balls he faced. However, he managed to capitalize on the opportunities and showcase the composure that defines a player as a skilled batsman.
Kevin Peterson Backed Shubman Gill:
Initiating his innings with a swivel, Shubman Gill secured a boundary. Despite of two close calls when he reached a score of 4, Gill narrowly escaped dismissal thanks to a faint inside edge against Tom Hartley. Interestingly, Gill hesitated to opt for a Decision Review System (DRS), and a smile of disbelief appeared on his face when the decision was eventually overturned. After the decision got overturned, former England Player Kevin Peterson said, “That wink tells you the story, he was very lucky”.
Gill’s Fighting Century:
Shubman Gill displayed remarkable resilience, countering intense pressure to notch up his third Test century on Sunday, February 4. The 24-year-old played a pivotal role in rescuing India from a challenging situation on Day 3 of the 2nd Test against England in Visakhapatnam. With a hundred in 132 balls, Gill not only boosted his confidence but also silenced critics questioning his place in the team. Despite facing two close LBW calls and a tough start, he demonstrated incredible grit, securing his second Test century at home. Remarkably, Gill’s century marked the first No. 3 batter’s three-figure score for India at home since 2017. Cheteshwar Pujara achieved this feat against Sri Lanka in Nagpur in November 2017.
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