Young India batter Shubman Gill ended the recent England Test series as the second highest run-getter with 452 runs in five Tests. He showed determination and grit despite scoring 23 and 0 in the first Test loss in Hyderabad.
He was replacing Cheteshwar Pujara at the important no.3 spot and he repaid the faith the team management showed in him. He made a brilliant century in the second Test and added another ton to end the series with 452 runs to his name.
Gill was also recognized for another important part of his play by none other than Ravichandran Ashwin, who accompanied him on the pitch for all five matches against England. The experienced off-spinner noted that Gill, like his batting, struggled early in the series as he fielded at the short mid-wicket position, which Virat Kohli generally takes over against spinners.
“Short mid-wicket is Virat Kohli’s position. It is very difficult to replace him. Virat and (Suresh) Raina. (Shubman) Gill started off there in the first test, and he looked very uncomfortable. By the final Test, he got it (like Vijay says to Sivakarthikeyan). 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,” Ashwin said in a YouTube video.
Speaking on his comeback in the series after a slow start, Ashwin insisted that Gill is bound to be the “next superstar” in Indian cricket, and his ability to make a strong return is a crucial chapter of that “journey.”
“I give extra praise to Shubman Gill because he has seen the ups and downs of the game. 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, like how gold is molten from flames and water. 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,” said Ashwin.
Shubman Gill will be seen in action in IPL 2024 where he will captain Gujarat Titans, while R Ashwin will turn out for Rajasthan Royals. Virat Kohli, who missed the England Test series for the birth of his second child, is expected to return to action for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
