Ex-Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar lauded Shubman Gill’s superb century when the heat was on during Day 3 of the second test with England in Vizag.
Even though he emerged as a top player in the white-ball games over the past year, Shubman Gill had a rough patch with his performance in the red-ball format. He hasn’t scored a half-century in 11 innings since the 128 score against Australia last year, putting Gill’s position in the Test team at risk.
Nonetheless, the elegant batsman overcame early nerves to score his third Test century and drive India into a commanding position.
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo at stumps on Day 3, Manjrekar was impressed by Gill’s ability to remain focused after hitting a possibly career-saving half-century and converting it into a three-figure score.
“What’s impressive about Gill was the fact that once he got to his 50 he was thinking big. When you are out of form and actually looking at your place being in doubt for the next Test with Virat Kohli and KL Rahul likely to comeback that fear is always there. And once you get a 50, there is a feeling ‘ I may play the next match, I’ve saved my career’ for the moment. And you might just relax a bit.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
Shubman Gill’s position in the side was doubtful for the following match after scoring 23, 0, and 34 in the previous three innings of the series.
However, his game-changing effort put India in a strong position to tie the series, giving England a daunting goal of 399 in their fourth innings.
“India needed somebody to get a big score and he did” – Sanjay Manjrekar on Shubman Gill
Sanjay Manjrekar continued to laud Shubman Gill, calling his second-inning century crucial to India’s chances.
Shubman Gill was the only batsman in the side’s second innings to reach a half-century, with Axar Patel coming in second with 45.
“He went on and scored a very controlled 100 and that is why we have all been excited with Gill that once he got a 50 he made that count. India needed somebody to get a big score and he did. England bowling was not going to be a challenge for Gill. Starting off has been a problem for him whether it was in South Africa or against the English spinners. And he needed a little bit of luck with that leg before.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
Shubman Gill escaped a pair of close LBW rulings early in his innings against Tom Hartley and James Anderson before settling in.
Despite his heroics, England remain in the game, needing another 332 runs with nine wickets in hand to take a 2-0 series lead.