In what turned out to be a Test of character more than skill, Shubman Gill stood tall under pressure and delivered one of the most composed knocks of his career at Old Trafford, Manchester. The young Indian captain, under scrutiny after a string of inconsistent leadership moments, showcased immense maturity by crafting a resilient second-innings century that helped India escape with a draw in the fourth Test against England.

Having scored just 12 in the first innings, Gill walked out to bat in a dire situation on Day 4 with India reeling at 0 for 2. The English pacers were sniffing a victory, but the 25-year-old right-hander had other plans. What followed was a masterclass in patience and grit as Gill stitched together a 103-run innings from 238 deliveries, laced with 12 boundaries. His partnership with KL Rahul—who contributed a solid 90—was the bedrock of India’s recovery.

The duo added 188 runs for the third wicket, consuming over three sessions and frustrating England’s bowling attack. Their resistance laid the foundation for a remarkable comeback. Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja carried forward the momentum, combining for an unbeaten 203-run stand, both notching up centuries and ensuring India held on for a draw, keeping the series alive at 1-2.

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Mohammad Kaif was effusive in his praise for Gill, not just for the innings but for the way he carried himself as captain. Kaif pointed out that Gill looked far more composed at Old Trafford than he did at Lord’s, where he was seen getting into a heated exchange with Zak Crawley and trying to emulate Virat Kohli’s aggressive demeanour.

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“This time, the camera would zoom in and you’d see a calm Shubman,” Mohammad Kaif noted on his YouTube channel. “He understood that he needed to lead with his own personality—and that calmness reflected in his batting.”

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Kaif also raised a tactical concern—questioning the exclusion of Kuldeep Yadav from the playing XI at Manchester. With India needing a win at The Oval to level the series, he urged team management to play Kuldeep irrespective of the conditions. “You need 20 wickets to win, and for that, you must play your best bowlers. Kuldeep should be part of the XI in the final Test.”

With the series on the line, India now looks to their young captain not just for runs, but for the clarity and composure that might define the outcome at The Oval.