In a thrilling turn of events during the second Test match against England in Vishakhapatnam, Shubman Gill silenced his critics by delivering a remarkable century on Day 3. Despite facing some initial challenges, Gill showcased resilience, scoring an impressive 104 off 147 deliveries.
Recent struggles in Test cricket led to an ultimatum from the team management after Gill’s duck in the first Test’s second innings. According to a report from Indian Express, Gill was on the verge of playing Ranji Trophy to refine his technique if he failed to perform in this crucial match. The specter of travelling to Mohali for the match against Gujarat loomed over him.
I will go and play the Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat in Mohali,
Gill revealed to a family member, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
England’s spinners, Tom Hartley and Rehan Ahmed, played pivotal roles in restricting India to 255. With a daunting target of 399 for England to chase in the fourth innings, Gill’s century became a beacon of hope for the hosts.
Despite Gill’s heroic efforts, India lost wickets consistently, and the innings concluded in the third session in Visakhapatnam. Hartley’s left-arm spin claimed four wickets, while Ahmed secured his third wicket by dismissing Ravichandran Ashwin for 29.
Gill’s century, his third in Test cricket and the first in 12 innings since March 2023, played a crucial role in steering India from a precarious position of 122-4. Notably, his partnership with Axar Patel yielded 89 runs.
As the drama unfolded, Gill reached his century with a single off debutant spinner Shoaib Bashir, acknowledging the cheers of the Sunday crowd. The pressure was palpable, but Gill’s response on the field spoke louder than any ultimatum.
