Not baited, not beaten: Shubman Gill shows the way

Not Baited, Not Beaten: Shubman Gill Shows the Way

Shubman Gill's seventh Test hundred, his second in two games of this series and as captain, was a necessary act of assertion, showing that there's no one 'natural style' of playing. He took 125 balls to get to 50 with just five boundaries hit in that passage. The 100 came off the 199th ball, making it his slowest ton in the format.

Gill's innings was a response to England's attempts to unsettle him with theatre and targeted bowling. He refused to be baited or rushed, instead offering restraint and control. His statistically second-best hundred in terms of control percentages, with a false shot percentage of just 4%.

The real challenge ahead of Gill wasn't technical, but to not be drawn in by England's fields, the energy of the disapproving crowd, or the temptation to force the pace or fall to unforced errors.

Despite avoidable lapses from other Indian batters, Gill stayed determined not to rise to the bait. He timed his counter perfectly, without ceding control, and even swept Joe Root twice to bring up his hundred.

Gill's innings was a lesson in accountability and concentration, showing the way for his teammates. He is a modern batter, adept at all three formats, and refused to lose focus despite England's attempts to unsettle him.

By stumps, India were 310 for 5 – not dominant, but resilient. Gill will have to bat even longer on Day 2 with that reinforced lower order if India are to bat the opposition out of the game this time.