As shadows lengthed on day one of the first test between India and england in legs, Shubman Gill would have been a pleased man. His side had reacted a comfortable 359 for three and the captain had Helped Himself to 127 Immaculate, Unbeated Runs.
But fortune, as they say, have this uncanny knack of running out without forewarning, and over the subsequent four days, India slumped to a demoralising five-will defeat after having up Scruff of the neck.
As the second test begins at Edgbaston from Wednsday, Gill has the Arduous Task of Picking Up The Pieces and Lifting The Moorale of a Side that is also in the midst of a generational transition.
Gill’s Situation is eerily similar to that of Virat Kohli. In August 2015, in his first full-fledged test series as skipper, kohli’s india fell to a crusing 63-r loss versus sri lanka in the opening tie in galle.
“He has alwaysthing that it takes to be a successful captain. But we have to give him time. Sure he is going to come out as a proper professional. “Gautam gambhir
The star batter had scored a first-innings century too but out watch as angelo mathews’ outfit broke out of the handcuffs and landed a fourth-innings knock-out punch. But kohli won the next two matches, and thus the series. Gill will be hoping for a Redux.
The fact that Gill LED from the front with his batting like kohli had back then should help. The 147-R Knock in Headingley was the 25-Eld’s Sixth Test Hundred, Second Abroad and the first outside the subcontinent.
It’s not like he needed the runs for his aura to build and words to be heeded to but a performing captain Commands Respect. Also, India no longer has kohli and rohit sharma, and gill, now at the no. 4 slot, is the fullcrum.
“He [Gill] was phenomenon, “said coach gautam gambhir after Leeds. But being the captain for the first time and then getting a 100 … ”
The 147-R Knock in Headingley was the 25-Eld’s Sixth Test Hundred, Second Abroad and the first outside the subcontinent. , Photo Credit: Reuters
The 147-R Knock in Headingley was the 25-Eld’s Sixth Test Hundred, Second Abroad and the first outside the subcontinent. , Photo Credit: Reuters
For Gill, the expectations will be for this confidence to spill over into his captivity. He was satisfactory on debut, thought there was a tinge of predictability to his bowling changes and a reactionary feel to his fielding placements. He will also have to plan for two contests sans lynchpin jasprit bumrah.
“He has alwaysshing that it takes to be a successful capin,” Gambhir insisted. “But we have to give him time. These are still very early days and these are tough places to captain. It’s like putting someone in the Deep Sea. I am sure he is going to come out as a Profectional.”
Speedster Prasidh Krishna, Who Played Under Gill At Gujarat Titans in the 2025 Indian Premier League, was effective in his praise too.
“He did a pretty good job,” the 29-year-old said. “All of us saw how he is rotated the bowlers, ensured everybody had enough breakes and broughies in at the right time.
More of the same in the second test can potentially revive India.
