In the 1st Test between India and England, Shubman Gill often referred to as the next big thing in Indian cricket, experienced another round of failures at No. 3. Debutant Tom Hartley, making an impact, removed India’s top 3 batsmen.
Gill, who recently took over the No. 3 spot from veteran Cheteshwar Pujara, struggled to leave a mark in the crucial batting position. In the 4th innings of the match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, Gill faced disappointment by getting dismissed for a duck, contributing to his total of just 23 runs in 2 innings.
On Day 4, England set a challenging target of 231 for India’s 4th innings. While openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal provided a positive start with a 42-run partnership, Hartley managed to dismiss Jaiswal for 15 runs. Gill followed suit, falling for a duck on the very next ball, and England’s vice-captain Ollie Pope took the catch at silly-point. Hartley didn’t stop there, also dismissing the Indian captain with an LBW in the 18th over, completing the removal of India’s top 3.
Gill’s struggles at No. 3 have been evident, with the disappointment continuing in this match. He failed to impress during India’s 1st innings, scoring only 23 runs and becoming Hartley’s maiden Test wicket.
Since taking over the No. 3 position from the West Indies tour, Gill has not managed to score a fifty-plus score. In the lead-up to the series, experts emphasized the need for Gill to secure his place in the team by scoring runs.
Despite the confidence shown by head coach Rahul Dravid, Gill could only muster 23 runs in 2 innings of the 1st Test, raising concerns about his form and place in the team.
Sunil Gavaskar slams Shubman Gill for his dismissal in first innings
In the inaugural clash of the India vs England Test series, Shubman Gill faced stern criticism from cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar for his ill-timed exit in the first innings. Gavaskar did not hold back his disappointment with Gill’s performance at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
Despite showcasing commendable resilience on Day 2, Gill’s downfall came with a poorly executed shot that drew the ire of the cricketing veteran. Successfully navigating the challenges of the initial hour, Gill faltered when a slow ball from debutant England spinner Tom Hartley landed on his pads. Instead of opting for a calculated shot, Gill attempted a weak swat that led to a complete miss. The ball popped up, and a fielder at mid-wicket easily secured the catch, resulting in Gill’s departure from the crease.
Hartley, claiming his maiden Test wicket, deceived Gill in the 35th over’s fifth ball with a delivery that enticed a wild swing from the Indian batsman. Expressing his disappointment in the commentary, Gavaskar questioned the rationale behind Gill’s shot selection.
“What was he attempting with that shot? It’s understandable if he aimed to hit it in the air. It rather turned out to be a poorly executed on-drive. After putting in the hard work, he played a shot like that,” he said.
England beat India by 28 runs in the first Test
In a remarkable display of bowling prowess, debutant Tom Hartley claimed 7 wickets to guide England to a 28-run victory over India in the first Test. Despite a challenging target of 231 runs, India faltered, with none of their batters reaching a fifty. England, initially struggling with a score of 246 in their first innings, staged a comeback led by Ollie Pope’s brilliant knock of 196. The turnaround, coupled with Hartley’s stellar bowling, proved decisive in securing England’s triumph in the opening match of the five-match Test series.