How did Gill achieve a hard-fought second hundred as Test captain?

Birmingham, July 2 (NationPress) Shubman Gill showcased his unwavering determination by scoring a hard-earned seventh Test century – the second during his tenure as India’s captain – leading the visitors to a score of 310/5 in 85 overs at the close of Day One in the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series against England at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

Batting under clear blue skies, England opted to put India in to bat, drawing criticism for resting Jasprit Bumrah and selecting three all-rounders while omitting another genuine wicket-taker, Kuldeep Yadav. However, Gill, who had recently made 147 at Headingley, exhibited remarkable responsibility and patience, finishing the day unbeaten on 114 runs off 216 balls, decorated with 12 boundaries.

With this impressive knock, which marks his fourth Test century against England, Gill has become the second Indian captain after Mohammad Azharuddin to achieve hundreds in consecutive Tests played in England.

He also stands as the third Indian captain to register centuries in consecutive Tests against England, following Azharuddin (Lord’s and Old Trafford in 1990) and Vijay Hazare (Delhi and Brabourne in 1951/52). Following an exciting 87 from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Gill and Ravindra Jadeja, who concluded the day not out on 41, formed an unbroken 99-run partnership for the sixth wicket, aiding India’s recovery from 211/5.

For England, local hero Chris Woakes was the standout bowler with two wickets and could have easily secured at least a couple more had the DRS favored him. Brydon Carse, Ben Stokes, and Shoaib Bashir each claimed one wicket.

In the morning session, Woakes was rewarded for his persistence with the new ball when KL Rahul was dismissed for just two runs. He could have also taken Jaiswal and Karun Nair, who replaced B. Sai Sudharsan at No.3, lbw if not for the umpire’s call.

Nair exhibited excellent timing in his drives and flicks, particularly against Ben Stokes. With Josh Tongue bowling erratically, Jaiswal was able to express himself freely, resulting in three boundaries in the 16th over and replicating this feat in the 22nd over, bringing up his 11th Test fifty.

Despite not much movement, Jaiswal passed a rigorous examination, initially scoring only 16 off 34 balls, and performed exceptionally well. Carse then capitalized on a shoulder edge from Nair, leading to a catch in the second slip, concluding an 80-run partnership for the second wicket just before lunch.

The post-lunch session saw a return to traditional attritional cricket, with India scoring 84 runs in 28 overs. Although Jaiswal fell 13 runs shy of his sixth Test century, Gill remained a pillar of strength.

At the start, Gill and Jaiswal capitalized on singles whenever possible. While Jaiswal earned a boundary by slicing over the slips, Gill found his runs from edges through gully, all while being thoroughly tested around his front pad.

Woakes consistently challenged Gill around the middle stump, hoping to entice him into a mistake. However, the Indian skipper, standing outside the crease, expertly handled the pressure with his solid forward defense. As Tongue and Bashir came into the attack, both Jaiswal and Gill notched up boundaries, bringing up the fifty of their partnership.

Stokes, however, secured a crucial breakthrough, as Jaiswal edged a cut shot outside off to keeper Jamie Smith, prompting wild celebrations from the England captain.

While Gill continued to find singles on both sides of the wicket, Rishabh Pant took his time respecting the excellent bowling before launching a half-volley from Bashir over long-on for six. The duo collected singles in the final two overs before tea.

The last session began slowly, leading to a ball change due to it being lodged in the gauge. Gill then utilized his footwork effectively, scoring a four off both Woakes and Bashir, the latter bringing up his fifty in 125 balls.

However, Bashir struck in the 61st over, tempting Pant with a slower flighted delivery, leading to a catch at long-on for 25 runs. England then took advantage of a second quick wicket when Nitish Kumar Reddy left an outside off-stump delivery from Chris Woakes, resulting in a sharp turn to knock over the off-stump.

Following two rapid breakthroughs, England reintroduced Brydon Carse, but a resolute Gill drove him crisply through extra cover and point for a pair of boundaries. Gill and Jadeja secured a boundary each off Stokes, who attempted to unsettle the pair with short balls, but to no avail as they brought up a half-century partnership for the sixth wicket.

While Jadeja struck boundaries off Bashir and Tongue, Gill cut the pacer for four before sweeping Joe Root for two consecutive boundaries to achieve his seventh Test century off 199 deliveries, culminating in a trademark roar and a respectful bow. As the second new ball was introduced, Gill and Jadeja each claimed a boundary before a solid day's play concluded.

Brief scores:

India 310/5 in 85 overs (Shubman Gill 114 not out, Yashasvi Jaiswal 87; Chris Woakes 2-59, Brydon Carse 1-49) against England