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IND vs AUS: Shubman Gill's Flamboyant Fifty Ensures A Magnificent Start For India

image-lf3k02giShubman Gill in action [Source: AP]

Riding on Shubman Gill's glorious half-century and useful contributions from Rohit Sharma, India replied strongly to Australia with the bat in the first session on day 3 of the final Test match in Ahmedabad. Although Sharma couldn't capitalise on his start, Gill and Pujara looked rock-solid, preventing Australia from getting another breakthrough before the lunch break. 


How the battle panned out? 

The session began with India placed at 36 for no loss, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill batting on 17* and 18*, respectively. Both these unbeaten batters started from where they had left last evening, frustrating Australia with their stoic technique and nonchalant stroke play. 

image-lf3k1na2Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill [Source: AP]

Their aggression took a toll on Mitchell Starc, who went for plenty in his first spell of the day. Furthermore, despite getting decent assistance from the surface, the Australian spinners seemed unthreatening, as the Indian duo used their feet and neutralised Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann effectively. 

However, when everything seemed to be in India's control, they lost the crucial wicket of Rohit Sharma, as the batter hit it straight to Marnus Labuschagne off Kuhnemann in the 21st over. 

But after that, Gill and Pujara safely negotiated the remaining deliveries, powering India to 129 for 1 at lunch. 


Talking Points

  • India have been a lot more positive in their approach than Australia. Their scoring rate of 3.49 indicates that they will play result-oriented cricket and look to go past Australia's first innings total as quickly as possible. 
  • Australia have used Mitchell Starc in short bursts in order to create rough for the spinners. Considering the ball is getting softer and they have three spinners, this is a tremendous strategy by Steve Smith.


Expectations from the second session

Considering they have two set batters in the middle, we expect India to dominate in the post-lunch session, adding at least 100 more runs to their total. 


Brief Scores

India 1st Innings: 129/1 (37)
Shubman Gill 65* (119), Cheteshwar Pujara 22* (46), Rohit Sharma 35 (58);
Matthew Kuhnemann 1/20

India trail by 351 runs.