PTI FILE PHOTO
Shubman Gill played a captain’s knock for a second game in succession but debatable selection decisions by the Indian team management, coupled with England’s uncanny ability to rise when the tide is flowing against them saw the hosts sign off an engrossing opening day of the second Test the happier lot here on Wednesday.
Shouldering responsibility like a skipper should do and batting with immense maturity after the quick dismissals of Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar, Gill made it after tea, the 25‑year‑old Gill ensured India didn’t bungle up completely against a gritty England with a beautifully composed seventh Test century at a sold‑out and noisy Edgbaston.
Hardly playing a loose stroke in brilliant batting conditions and well aware of how important his innings would be in the larger context of the game after the in‑form Yashasvi Jaiswal (87) threw it away following all the hard work, Gill struck a dogged unbeaten 114 (216b, 12x4) to take India to stumps at 310/5 with seasoned Ravindra Jadeja giving him company with an equally fighting 41 not out. The duo forged an unbroken 99‑run partnership.
Gill, who in the pre‑match press conference admitted he needs to be more careful with his shot selection following his dismissal in the first innings of the Leeds Test that triggered a sensational collapse, did exactly what he said. He saw from the non‑strikers’ end how Jaiswal, looking to counter for a second straight century and fourth versus England, and Pant played loose shots that brought about their downfalls. With KL Rahul and Kumar Nair too back in the hut earlier in the day, he knew he, being the only specialist batter remaining, had to take all the responsibility. And he did so in exemplary fashion, becoming the third India captain with hundreds in consecutive Tests against England after the great Vijay Hazare and Mohammad Azharuddin.
At the start of his innings, he was very watchful as Jaiswal started to open his shoulders after having done all the hard yards in a probing first session where England’s lead pacer Chris Woakes asked several difficult questions with his sharp pace, late swing and bounce off a good length. Gill just opted to defend but didn’t get sucked into a shell with the occasional boundary and quick singles.
Very bizarrely, he started to up the tempo after Pant played a false shot and got out right after tea. India lost even all‑rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy cheaply and at 211/5 with the bowlers to follow, India were in trouble. England skipper Ben Stokes, who was exceptional with his field placements and rotation of bowlers, sensed blood but Gill hit four of the challenge along with Jadeja.
He trusted his attacking game and started to play his shots a lot more.
Less‑rashly than how to hold one end up without conceding too many runs. More than Tests, they were exceptional in one‑dayers. Yuvraj was a proper all‑rounder, as effective with his left arm spin as he was when smashing the bowlers with the bat in his hands.
All of them were effective whenever the bowlers had a carry on the wicket.
They end rugby players and educate them on Asia.
“I think an ability to bat the tail was what we were chasing,” said skipper Rohit Sharma, explaining why India needed 310 to 324 to win.
India: 310/5 in 90 overs (Shubman Gill 114*, Yashasvi Jaiswal 87; Chris Woakes 2/59, Stuart Broad 1/62). Stumps.