Shubman Gill showcased his mettle as a dependable No. 3 batsman during the recent India vs England Test series, silencing doubters with two centuries and a total of 452 runs. Despite enduring a lean patch prior to his stellar performances, Gill’s pivotal role in India’s dominant 4-1 series win highlighted his resilience and talent.
Before his impressive century in the second innings of the Vizag Test, Gill had struggled to make significant contributions, enduring 12 innings without surpassing 36 runs. However, his return to form underscored the trust placed in him by the team management.
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During the series, Gill also stepped into the crucial role of fielding at short mid-wicket in the absence of Virat Kohli, typically stationed in that position. Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s off-spinner, acknowledged Gill’s initial discomfort but praised his dedication to improvement.
“Short mid-wicket is Virat Kohli’s position,” remarked Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel. “It is very difficult to replace him. Gill started off there in the first test, and he looked very uncomfortable. By the final Test, he got it. He also took a catch of (Ben) Duckett on covers. It shows that he wants to improve his game on a day-to-day basis, and he’s working on it.”
Ravichandran Ashwin also commended Gill for his resilience in the face of scrutiny and technical challenges, hailing him as the future superstar of Indian cricket.
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“I give extra praise to Shubman Gill because he has seen the ups and downs of the game,” Ravichandran Ashwin continued. “People discussed his position in the XI. He had a few technical issues of his own. He came past all that to become what he is today. And for somebody who is bound to be the next superstar of Indian cricket, as people project, this is a very important journey for him. He has handled the pressure, and massive applause is for him.”
