How Did England Get Under Shubman Gill’s Skin?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Alyssa Healy pointed out the psychological tactics employed by England against Shubman Gill.
- Gill's confrontation with Zak Crawley showcased the pressure he faced.
- India's batting strategy may have contributed to their defeat.
- Healy believes exploiting weaknesses is critical in competitive cricket.
- The upcoming Test is crucial for India's comeback.
New Delhi, July 16 (NationPress) Australia women's team captain Alyssa Healy stated that England has effectively discovered a method to get under the skin of India's captain Shubman Gill during their 22-run victory at Lord’s. She emphasized that the hosts will seize any indication of vulnerability from the opposition captain.
Healy's remarks surfaced following a confrontation between Gill and England opener Zak Crawley in the final over of the third day's play. Gill expressed his frustration towards Crawley during an intense exchange, even resorting to explicit language in the heat of the moment.
As Gill stepped up to bat, chasing 193 runs, England’s players were relentless in their banter aimed at the right-handed batter, who appeared unsettled and managed to score only six runs, leading to India’s total of 170 runs.
“I’ve come across information suggesting that when teams apply pressure on Gill, it can unsettle him a bit. If England has even a slight suspicion of that, it’s precisely what they’ll exploit, especially given his success in the first two Test matches. There’s a method to get under his skin as the captain too,” Alyssa remarked.
“Typically, teams will target the captain. If you can dismiss the skipper cheaply or disturb their composure, it gives you a sense of momentum. So if England senses any weakness there, they will capitalize on it,” she added during an episode of the Willow Talk Podcast on Wednesday.
Healy also suggested that India could have accelerated their approach when facing England’s batters on day three. “India cannot complain about Crawley’s actions when they had regular drinks breaks throughout the previous day,” she noted.
“If India had aimed for a few more overs against the England top order, they could have quickened the pace,” she concluded. With India trailing 1-2, Gill and his team will strive to recover in the upcoming fourth Test, set to commence on July 23 at Old Trafford in Manchester.