If someone is expected to score a big daddy hundred in ODI among the Indians, you would expect a Rohit Sharma or Kohli or Surya Yadav or perhaps, Rishabh Pant. Shubman Gill will not be among that list. A hundred certainly yes but a big one at that, he probably does not have that temperament. A double hundred in an ODI, it certainly is out of the realms of Gill. However, he proved everyone wrong in the first ODI against New Zealand. There was never any question about his quality against pace or spin but 200 was probably unexpected from him. Anyway, Shubman Gill reveals his class.
Ever since his debut against Australia in that exciting series, Gill has been someone who has shown potential but hasn’t been that consistent in the longest format atleast. Though the role of Rishabh Pant in the win at The Gabba was correctly appreciated by everyone, the part played by Gill was second to none. If not for his quick scoring, Pant may not have had the time and support to win the game. Gill showed an unflustered mind in that game and throughout the series. Everyone expected lot more from his bat after that series but unfortunately, he has always fallen short. So much so that, Lokesh Rahul was preferred ahead of him to partner Rohit.
Selfless cricketer
He is proving his class in the ODI format. I have always believed that he has the game for Test cricket and ODI but he is not a T20 cricketer. Though he has got all the shots, he needs little bit of time to play those shots. T20 does not afford that time and hence in trying to improvise, which is alien to his game, he gets out more often than not. In ODI and Tests, he can play himself in before launching into assault. Having said that, he is not that slow of the blocks like a Dhawan or even Rohit. If the ball is there to be hit, he does not think twice.
The sheer confidence that he displays at the wicket is incredible. At a time when Rahul has proven to be a misfit as an opener and at a time when Rohit Sharma hardly has another year left in him, Gill’s emergence as a dependable opener, soothes the Indian supporter. During the course of his innings, Gill became the youngest player to score a double hundred. He also became the 5th Indian to score a double hundred.
A special knock
Gill replaced Ishan Kishan, who himself scored a rollicking double hundred against Bangladesh. A lot of eyebrows were raised when he replaced Kishan but he answered his doubters emphatically.
“Not a conscious effort [to keep batting aggressively], I would say, but with an extra fielder inside the circle, we see other teams pushing in the middle overs,” Gill said at the post-match press conference. “And even today when wickets were falling, my main focus was to show some intent to the bowler because it becomes very easy for the bowler to bowl dot balls if the batsman is not going to show any intent that he’s going to hit any boundaries – even if we have lost a wicket. So that was my intent – even when wickets were falling to show the bowler that I will hit you if you’re going to bowl bad balls.”
The crowd who had come anticipating a special knock from Rohit or Kohli or Surya, were pleasantly surprised by an innings of belligerence from Gill. What made his innings even more special was the nonchalant way he reached double hundred. It was straight from the Sehwag school of batting. Six of the bowling of Ferguson, one of the fastest bowler in the world. This is an attitude that Indians always like. Lack of care for personal milestone. If only he had slowed down to get to the landmark, India may have fallen short by 15-20 runs which means New Zealand would have won the game. India needs cricketers like him.
Wrapping up Shubman Gill reveals his class
Far too often, Gill has disappointed. There are far too many low scores for his own liking. Atleast in ODIs, he is beginning to assert himself. In a World Cup year, it is good to have him performing at the top. It opens up quite a few possibilities for India. It remains to be seen whether he can carry this form into Test cricket. With Australia about to arrive in the country, Gill’s runs will increase the pressure on Rahul. Though he is not expected to replace Rahul atleast in the first couple of innings, he can very well come into the equation once Rahul continues with his lean run.
It is for Gill to ensure that he not only pushes Rahul and any other incumbent out of the picture but to make the spot his own.
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