<p>Brisbane: Any Test win is a byproduct of team performance. Some of them will be great and some others will be good but each contribution is a critical component of the win. It's, therefore, unfortunate that only a few performances are revered more while others get relegated to mere footnotes.</p>.<p>VVS Laxman's 281 against Australia in Kolkata in the 2000 series was monumental, but without Rahul Dravid's 180 it wouldn't have found its rightful place in the cricketing folklore. MS Dhoni's 91 in the 2011 50-over World Cup final completely overshadowed Gautam Gambhir's equally crucial 97 in the same match. </p>.'He is coming for me': Mitchell Marsh on facing best 'bowler in the world' Jasprit Bumrah.<p>Similarly, Shubman Gill's innings of 91, which set the tone for an epic run-chase, isn't held in the same esteem as that of Rishabh Pant's unbeaten 89 here in the 2021 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series decider.</p>.<p>Since setting up that famous win, Pant and Gill have traversed different paths with differing fortunes. While Gill has established himself as heir apparent to Virat Kohli with heaps of runs across formats, Pant has gone through an upheaval. A roller-coaster ride that saw him knock on the proverbial death's door and return to doing what he loves most.</p>.<p>As the two youngsters touched base here at the Gabba on Thursday morning, they might have felt at home in an otherwise intimidating structure and the air would have felt fresh and familiar. Each blade of the lush outfield would have had a tale of its own to narrate to the two Indian batters. And India will need significant contributions from the two as they look to arrest their middling runs and wrest the initiative in the BGT which is locked at 1-1 after the first two Tests.</p>.<p>Gill has had an interesting campaign so far in the series. After missing the first Test with a thumb injury, the 25-year-old struck a delightful 50 before retiring out in the pink-ball warm-up match. Returning to Test XI, he looked solid in the day/night Test, essaying a few crisp drives and some crunchy cuts in both the innings. The stylish right-hander, however, fell against the run of play in both hits, pegging India back. </p>.<p>Gill occupies the crucial No. 3 spot which in the past was occupied by Rahul Dravid and later Cheteshwar Pujara. It's a complex job. The No. 3 batter has to build the innings if he goes in early, and has to consolidate if he gets in following a good foundation. Dravid and Pujara were cut from the same cloth; in that, they were willing to look ugly, and take blows on their bodies, if need be, but would get the work done. More often than not.</p>.<p>Gill need not look beyond his partner Pujara here in the same Test when he shared a 114-run stand with the Saurashtra batter who stayed 314 minutes and faced 211 balls for his 56. While he held one end up, offering bat and body to stinging deliveries, stroke-makers around him flourished. </p>.<p>Gill is a new-age batter who is given to a bit of extravagance. While that in itself isn't an undesirable trait to have, he will have to temper his flamboyance with prudence. Unlike in the sub-continent, where one can get away with an odd mistake or two, chances of survival are thin here if you take things lightly even for a moment.</p>.<p>Gill demanded this position, and while he has had some success there, he still has a long way to go before he can be counted among the greats at No. 3.</p>.<p>Pant may have lost 14 precious months of his career, but he knows, more than anyone else, that he is fortunate to be still walking let alone playing after rupturing both knees in a horrific accident. Since his return, he has won the T20 World Cup this year and struck a century on his return to Test cricket.</p>.<p>On this tour, he has threatened to come to the party but hasn't yet. Maybe the Gabba, the venue of the third Test from December 14, will inspire him to bring out his best. But rest assured, a few things will change when Pant comes out to bat. Be prepared for a scoop over fine leg, a slap over bowler's head or an aerial drive over long on irrespective of what the situation is. </p>
<p>Brisbane: Any Test win is a byproduct of team performance. Some of them will be great and some others will be good but each contribution is a critical component of the win. It's, therefore, unfortunate that only a few performances are revered more while others get relegated to mere footnotes.</p>.<p>VVS Laxman's 281 against Australia in Kolkata in the 2000 series was monumental, but without Rahul Dravid's 180 it wouldn't have found its rightful place in the cricketing folklore. MS Dhoni's 91 in the 2011 50-over World Cup final completely overshadowed Gautam Gambhir's equally crucial 97 in the same match. </p>.'He is coming for me': Mitchell Marsh on facing best 'bowler in the world' Jasprit Bumrah.<p>Similarly, Shubman Gill's innings of 91, which set the tone for an epic run-chase, isn't held in the same esteem as that of Rishabh Pant's unbeaten 89 here in the 2021 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series decider.</p>.<p>Since setting up that famous win, Pant and Gill have traversed different paths with differing fortunes. While Gill has established himself as heir apparent to Virat Kohli with heaps of runs across formats, Pant has gone through an upheaval. A roller-coaster ride that saw him knock on the proverbial death's door and return to doing what he loves most.</p>.<p>As the two youngsters touched base here at the Gabba on Thursday morning, they might have felt at home in an otherwise intimidating structure and the air would have felt fresh and familiar. Each blade of the lush outfield would have had a tale of its own to narrate to the two Indian batters. And India will need significant contributions from the two as they look to arrest their middling runs and wrest the initiative in the BGT which is locked at 1-1 after the first two Tests.</p>.<p>Gill has had an interesting campaign so far in the series. After missing the first Test with a thumb injury, the 25-year-old struck a delightful 50 before retiring out in the pink-ball warm-up match. Returning to Test XI, he looked solid in the day/night Test, essaying a few crisp drives and some crunchy cuts in both the innings. The stylish right-hander, however, fell against the run of play in both hits, pegging India back. </p>.<p>Gill occupies the crucial No. 3 spot which in the past was occupied by Rahul Dravid and later Cheteshwar Pujara. It's a complex job. The No. 3 batter has to build the innings if he goes in early, and has to consolidate if he gets in following a good foundation. Dravid and Pujara were cut from the same cloth; in that, they were willing to look ugly, and take blows on their bodies, if need be, but would get the work done. More often than not.</p>.<p>Gill need not look beyond his partner Pujara here in the same Test when he shared a 114-run stand with the Saurashtra batter who stayed 314 minutes and faced 211 balls for his 56. While he held one end up, offering bat and body to stinging deliveries, stroke-makers around him flourished. </p>.<p>Gill is a new-age batter who is given to a bit of extravagance. While that in itself isn't an undesirable trait to have, he will have to temper his flamboyance with prudence. Unlike in the sub-continent, where one can get away with an odd mistake or two, chances of survival are thin here if you take things lightly even for a moment.</p>.<p>Gill demanded this position, and while he has had some success there, he still has a long way to go before he can be counted among the greats at No. 3.</p>.<p>Pant may have lost 14 precious months of his career, but he knows, more than anyone else, that he is fortunate to be still walking let alone playing after rupturing both knees in a horrific accident. Since his return, he has won the T20 World Cup this year and struck a century on his return to Test cricket.</p>.<p>On this tour, he has threatened to come to the party but hasn't yet. Maybe the Gabba, the venue of the third Test from December 14, will inspire him to bring out his best. But rest assured, a few things will change when Pant comes out to bat. Be prepared for a scoop over fine leg, a slap over bowler's head or an aerial drive over long on irrespective of what the situation is. </p>