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"A Lot Of Credit Goes To...": Batting Coach Reveals Grit Behind Gill’s 147 On Captaincy Debut

Soumyajit Dutta

Shubman Gill [Source: @KKRiders/X.com]Shubman Gill [Source: @KKRiders/X.com]

Shubman Gill announced his arrival as India's new Test captain in emphatic style, scoring a commanding 147 against England. Stepping into the pivotal No. 4 position vacated by the retired Virat Kohli, Gill anchored the Indian innings after walking to the crease in the 26th over. 

Shubman Gill's  massive turnaround which helped him erase his name from a low batting record outside India in Tests was however result of discipline and grit.

Batting Coach Opens Up On Shubman Gill's Marvellous Overhaul!

Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak revealed that Gill's success followed deliberate adjustments after a challenging tour of Australia. 

"I think, after the Australia series, he [Shubman Gill] has thought of certain things, which he has implemented, after Australia, Champions Trophy, and then we had IPL. He worked on certain things, and as soon as I saw him in the nets, I spoke to him about the changes you made, and he said yes. So a lot of credit goes to him for analysing what he needs to do, and I think he did really well," Kotak stated after the day's play, as quoted by SportsTak.

Notably, Shubman Gill built crucial partnerships, adding 129 runs with Yashasvi Jaiswal for the third wicket and then a dominant 209 runs for the fourth wicket with wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. His 227-ball knock, featuring 19 fours and a six, propelled India forward before he was dismissed attempting another maximum off Shoaib Bashir.

Kotak Speaks On Pant

Gill's dismissal triggered a significant collapse. Karun Nair fell for a duck to Ben Stokes, and Pant (36) was trapped lbw by Josh Tongue, offering no shot to an inswinger. Kotak, however, praised Pant's adaptable innings.

"Rishabh Pant, I think, is someone who makes his own plans, makes his decision when he bats, so this inning was a little different than you would see him normally, but that is his plan, the way he wanted to approach it, and when he wanted to attack, he did. So, because he plays aggressively, it does not mean that he can't play defensively," Kotak said.

Meanwhile, Tongue and Stokes swiftly wrapped up the Indian tail, with the visitors losing their last 7 wickets for just 41 runs to be bowled out for 471 after being 430/3. England responded strongly, reaching 209/3 by stumps on Day 2, powered by Ollie Pope's unbeaten century and a half-century from Ben Duckett.