IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Gill slams critics, scores century on Day Three

No. 3 batsman Shubman clears doubts about his place in the playing XI with much-needed century—his first 50-plus score in 13 innings—as India set England an improbable victory target of 399; visitors 67-1 at stumps

Like in the first innings, India’s batting stint in their second dig was dominated by one figure. If it was Yashasvi Jaiswal who was the fulcrum then, Shubman Gill took it upon himself to bind the innings together on Sunday at the ACA-VDCA Stadium. 

Perhaps batting for his place in the XI, the stylish No. 3 produced his first meaningful Test knock in more than seven months. That it burgeoned into three-figures must have been particularly pleasing for the management group. Gill’s third ton, typically subliminal once he had ridden early luck, hauled India to 255 on the middle day of the second Test, extending their overall advantage to 398.

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Visitors begin chase well

Needing to mount the highest successful chase on Indian soil, England began with characteristic gusto through Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who put on a half-century stand for the third time this series. R Ashwin saw off Duckett’s threatening back courtesy a smart catch by KS Bharat and the visitors went to stumps at 67 without further damage, needing 332 more runs with nine wickets in hand to grab an unlikely 2-0 lead.

The moving day, which India started at 28 without loss, unravelled swiftly. Inside the first 15 minutes, openers Rohit Sharma and first-innings double-centurion Jaiswal were both plucked out by the indefatigable James Anderson. Rohit received a beauty in the day’s second over—the ball swung in and seamed away to hit off-stump—while Jaiswal drove loosely outside off and was caught in the slips. Gill survived several anxious moments, overturning a leg before decision against Tom Hartley when he managed the faintest of inside-edges and fortunate that the umpire’s call saved him when Anderson seemed to have his number. Only four on both occasions, he then bedded down to play a wonderful knock in the company of Shreyas Iyer, also in dire need of runs after a series of low scores.

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Gill was the dominant partner as England’s spinners—Hartley, Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed—failed to make an impression. But not displaying the ruthlessness associated with champion sides, India allowed England to return to the contest. After a stand of 81, Iyer miscued a lofted drive against Hartley, a sensational catch from Ben Stokes, running back from mid-off, accounting for him. When Rajat Patidar soon perished to another excellent take from Ben Foakes behind the stumps, India were in a spot at 122 for four.

Axar full of confidence 

Axar Patel kept Gill very good company, batting with supreme confidence while his partner took the fight to the opposition. A scrambled single which muscled Gill to three-figures was greeted with muted celebrations; Gill didn’t seem content but an ill-advised reverse sweep against Bashir opened the floodgates.

Including Gill, India lost their last six wickets for 44 and instead of 450, maybe even 500, England’s target was a lot more manageable. It will still take some getting, but don’t put it beyond the reach of the Bazballers.

Brief scores
India 396 & 255 (S Gill 104, A Patel 45; T Hartley 4-77, R Ahmed 3-88, J Anderson 2-29) v England 253 & 67/1 (Z Crawley 29*, B Duckett 28)

11
No. of Test innings Shubman Gill has played since dropping to No. 3

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