Shubman Gill continues to live up as Virat Kohli’s successor, scores match saving hundred at Edgbaston
Since taking over from Kohli as India’s Test number four, Gill has scored 147, 8 and 102*.
Patience. That’s perhaps the most important trait of any successful Test batter. The ability to curb your natural instinct. To dictate the terms, even if it means not playing your favourite shot. To be assured that runs will come for you, among a long dot spree.
Gill shows grit
Today at Edgbaston, Shubman Gill has passed the patience test with flying colours. For someone who scored a 56-ball fifty in the last Test match, the Indian Test captain has grinded his way to an important half-century in 125 balls.
The English bowlers tested his defence. That ball was consistently pitched outside the off stump by the fast bowler. Gill left most of these deliveries and about four fielders were placed in the 30-yard circle to ensure he didn’t get runs through the region.
At any point, Gill could have hit an aggressive shot in frustration. But that didn’t happen. He had decided that the patience game will be won by him and not England. They can toil hard and bowl outside off, but he won’t budge. And in the end, he was the victor.
Like the Headingley Test, Gill had come out to bat as India lost the second wicket at the stroke of Lunch. Yashasvi Jaiswal was once again his partner. However, the pacing of the match was much different. Gill himself was suffocated for runs. And while Jaiswal and then Rishabh Pant couldn’t, through their natural attacking instinct, Gill was able to do so.
Back-to-back hundreds for India captain
Gill didn’t stop there. The loss of Nitish Kumar Reddy didn’t stop him. With Ravindra Jadeja staying put, he put the foot on the accelerator. Having taken 125 balls to reach his fifty, Gill required just 74 balls to score his next fifty runs and bring up his back-to-back hundreds as India’s Test captain. He joins an illustrious list, becoming just the fourth Indian skipper to score hundreds in their first two matches as captain.
What a time to do it. With his team five down for 211, he needed to stand tall for his team. With just five batters playing, someone had to step up. Yashasvi Jaiswal couldn’t do it, as he fell for 87, so Gill took the onus on himself to save Team India from trouble. A proper captain’s knock.
Hundreds in first two Tests as India captain
- Virat Kohli
- Vijay Hazare
- Sunil Gavaskar
- Shubman Gill
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Shubman Gill continues to live up as Virat Kohli’s successor, scores match saving hundred at Edgbaston
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