How did Shubman Gill fight hard for his second Test century as captain?

Birmingham, July 2 (NationPress) Shubman Gill displayed exceptional determination to secure a hard-earned seventh Test century – his second as India’s captain – leading the visitors to a commendable 310/5 in 85 overs at the close of day one of the second Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test against England at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

Under a clear blue sky, Gill, who previously scored 147 at Headingley, demonstrated remarkable composure and tenacity, remaining unbeaten on 114 off 216 deliveries, featuring 12 boundaries.

In this stellar innings, which marks his fourth Test century against England, Gill has become only the second Indian captain after Mohammad Azharuddin to achieve centuries in consecutive Tests in England.

He joins the ranks of other notable Indian captains with back-to-back hundreds against England, following Azharuddin (at Lord’s and Old Trafford in 1990) and Vijay Hazare (in Delhi and Brabourne in 1951/52). Following an aggressive 87 from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Gill and Ravindra Jadeja, who concluded the day on 41 not out, crafted an unbroken 99-run partnership for the sixth wicket, aiding India’s recovery from 211/5.

For England, local hero Chris Woakes stood out with two wickets and could have secured more if not for some unfortunate DRS calls. Brydon Carse, Ben Stokes, and Shoaib Bashir each took one wicket. The final session commenced quietly until a ball change was necessitated due to it being lodged in the gauge. Gill adeptly capitalized on the bowling of Woakes and Bashir, with the latter delivery bringing up his fifty off 125 balls.

However, Bashir claimed the wicket of Rishabh Pant in the 61st over, luring him into a big shot on a slower delivery, leading to Pant’s dismissal for 25. This brought about a second wicket when Nitish Kumar Reddy left an outswinger from Woakes, only for it to jag back and topple his off-stump.

With two quick wickets falling, England turned to Brydon Carse again, but Gill confidently drove him through extra cover for two boundaries. Both Gill and Jadeja found the boundary off Stokes, who attempted to unsettle them with bouncers, but they successfully reached a half-century partnership.

While Jadeja struck boundaries off Bashir and Tongue, Gill cut the pacer for four and swept consecutive deliveries from Joe Root to bring up his seventh Test century off 199 deliveries, celebrated with a trademark roar and a respectful bow. As the new ball was introduced, Gill and Jadeja secured a boundary each before a solid day's play came to a close.

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