In the second Test between India and England, Shubman Gill achieved his third Test century, a remarkable feat that undoubtedly instilled a great deal of confidence in him following the intense scrutiny surrounding his position in the team. Gill played a pivotal role in rescuing India from a challenging situation on Sunday in Vizag.
Shubman Gill showcased his resilience and silenced his critics with an impressive century, marking his third in Test cricket. On Sunday, February 4, the talented 24-year-old batsman thrived under immense pressure during the 2nd Test against England in Visakhapatnam. His remarkable innings not only rescued India from a precarious situation on Day 3 but also boosted his self-assurance while dismissing any doubts about his position in the team. This century also holds significance as it is the first Test hundred scored by an Indian player at home since November 2017.
Shubman Gill achieved his century in 132 deliveries, contributing to India’s significant lead of over 300 runs on Day 3. Despite the Indian dressing room’s enthusiastic applause, Gill maintained a subdued celebration, showcasing his remarkable composure and determination under pressure.
Gill’s transition to the No. 3 position was not without challenges, as he had expressed his desire for this role after Yashasvi Jaiswal became Rohit Sharma’s opening partner. Adapting from an opening batsman to a crucial position in the top order proved to be a difficult task for the young cricketer. Gill had endured a streak of 12 innings without scoring a fifty at the No. 3 spot. Furthermore, when he edged James Anderson’s delivery outside the off-stump in the first innings of the Vizag Test, it seemed as though his future as a Test cricketer was uncertain.
Nevertheless, Shubman Gill demonstrated remarkable resilience and perseverance as he successfully navigated through two potential LBW dismissals and overcame a shaky beginning to achieve his second Test century on home soil.
Remarkably, Shubman Gill’s century in the second innings in Visakhapatnam marked the first instance of a batsman scoring a three-figure score at the No. 3 position for India at home since 2017. Prior to Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara had been the last player to achieve this feat in a match against Sri Lanka in November 2017 in Nagpur.
Shubman Gill made his way to the pitch early in the second over of the day’s play when India found themselves in a difficult situation, having lost Rohit Sharma to James Anderson. Shortly after, Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had scored a double century in the first innings, was dismissed for 17 as James Anderson aimed to dismantle the top-order.
Gill’s lack of confidence was apparent as he survived two LBW appeals, one from Tom Hartley and another from James Anderson, in his first 20 deliveries. However, as he spent more time on the field, his confidence grew and he began playing fluent shots. Gill was content with rotating the strike and taking quick singles during his partnership of 81 runs with Shreyas Iyer.
Shubman Gill showcased remarkable footwork against the inexperienced England spin attack, successfully striking 2 sixes and 11 boundaries to reach his century.