Can Shubman Gill Lead India to Victory with His Unbeaten Fifty?
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Synopsis
In a gripping encounter at Old Trafford, Shubman Gill's resilience shines as he remains not out at 52, steering India to 86/2. With a significant 225 runs to chase against England, will he convert this promising start into a match-winning century?
Key Takeaways
- Shubman Gill scored an unbeaten fifty, showcasing his potential.
- India trails England by 225 runs.
- A strong partnership between Gill and KL Rahul is crucial.
- Gill is on track to break significant records in this series.
- The match remains competitive as both teams vie for victory.
Manchester, July 26 (NationPress) Captain Shubman Gill showcased his resilience, scoring his eighth Test half-century, remaining not out at 52 off 80 deliveries, as India reached 86/2 in 29 overs, now trailing England by 225 runs at tea on the fourth day of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Gill, along with KL Rahul, who stands firm at 30 not out, navigated several close calls to bat impressively during a wicketless second session, forming an unbroken partnership of 86 runs from 169 balls. Gill’s stability, particularly on his drives, paired with Rahul’s composure allowed India to withstand the pressure after losing both Yashasvi Jaiswal and B Sai Sudharsan for ducks.
The session kicked off with Gill evading two lbw appeals in just four balls during the opening over by Jofra Archer. Rahul, demonstrating his skill in high-pressure situations, struck Archer for four, while Gill, standing outside the crease, executed three boundaries against Chris Woakes.
When Brydon Carse entered the attack, Gill delivered two exquisite on-drives for consecutive boundaries. Following a confident stroke from Rahul that sent Woakes for four, Gill expertly drove Archer through the cover region for another four, before executing a spectacular upper-cut against him for a boundary and skillfully cutting Liam Dawson for another four.
Gill narrowly escaped dismissal on 46 when Dawson dropped a challenging catch at gully off Carse’s bowling. He managed to raise his fifty just before the tea break, with Ben Stokes not participating in the bowling due to a left leg issue.
In the second session, Gill surpassed Virat Kohli’s series tally of 655 runs against England in 2016, and now he is closing in on Sunil Gavaskar's record of most runs by an Indian captain in a Test series, which stands at 732. Each time Gill has achieved fifty in this series, he has converted it into a century, and the remaining four sessions of this match will reveal if he can achieve this feat once more.
Brief Scores: India 358 and 86/2 in 29 overs (Shubman Gill 52 not out, KL Rahul 30 not out; Chris Woakes 2-25) trail England 669 in 157.1 overs (Joe Root 150, Ben Stokes 141; Ravindra Jadeja 4-143, Washington Sundar 2-107) by 225 runs.
Point of View
Shubman Gill's performance exemplifies the spirit of Indian cricket. His ability to withstand pressure and lead from the front is commendable, and the nation eagerly anticipates whether he can convert this promising inning into a significant milestone.
NationPress
27/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Shubman Gill's score during the match?
Shubman Gill scored an unbeaten 52 off 80 balls.
How many runs does India need to chase?
India is trailing by 225 runs against England.
What is the significance of Gill's inning?
Gill's inning marks his eighth Test fifty and places him in contention to surpass notable records.
What is the current score of the match?
India is at 86/2 in 29 overs.
Who are the top scorers for England?
Joe Root and Ben Stokes are the top scorers for England with 150 and 141 runs respectively.
