Aakash Chopra praised Shubman Gill for breaking his century-less streak. He also applauded him for filling the void in India’s century list at position three on home grounds.
In the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam, India declared a score of 255 runs on Day 3. A big part of that was Gill’s contribution – 104 runs from 147 balls. The day ended with England at 67 for 1. For a 2-0 series lead, they still require 332 runs in this five-game series.
Aakash Chopra congratulated Gill on his long-awaited hundred in a video posted to his YouTube page. He elaborated:
“It seemed like Shubman Gill did a job we had been waiting for many years. It did not take many years but his first century at No. 3 has come. The fact also is that it is the first century by a No. 3 Indian batter in India for the last six to seven years. So he has finally ended the drought.”
Aakash Chopra
The former India opener said that the teenager was under increasing pressure as a result of his previous poor performance. He said:
“Shubman Gill was the performer of the day. He hadn’t scored runs since he started coming at No. 3. It was 12 innings since he scored his last century. The pressure was mounting and questions were being asked. The noise was increasing with every passing innings. It was important for him to score runs here.”
Aakash Chopra
Gill has not made a Test half-century since March 2023, when he hit 128 runs against Australia in Ahmedabad. He got 23 runs in two innings in the first Test against England and 34 in India’s opening innings of the ongoing second Test.
“He came with a slightly proactive mindset” – Aakash Chopra on Shubman Gill’s approach
Aakash Chopra had high praises for Shubman Gill’s positive perspective. He observed:
“The thing I liked the most was that he came with a slightly proactive mindset. The feet were moving slightly better. You need a little luck when you are going through bad times and luck favored him. If the umpire had given him out off James Anderson’s bowling, he would have remained out as it was umpire’s call.”
Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator speculated that the stylish batter’s recent slump would have fueled his desire for runs. He stated:
“He got an edge and the slip fielder was standing slightly wide. So there were one or two slight moments but other than that, he used his feet well, he started looking for runs and his body positioning was right. When you are short of something, you realize that it is very dear to you.”
Aakash Chopra
Apart from the aforementioned reprieves, Gill was awarded lbw while on four. He took a review at his partner Shreyas Iyer request and was fortunate since the replays indicated that he had inside-edged the ball onto his pads.