Did Gill Rise to the Occasion for India in the Fourth Test?

Manchester, July 27 (NationPress) Despite Shubman Gill falling for 103 just before lunch on day five of the ongoing fourth Test against England, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has praised the Indian leader for rising to the occasion during the most challenging moments of the series.

Gill entered the crease on a hat-trick ball in India’s second innings on day four. Demonstrating remarkable patience and resilience, he scored 103 runs off 238 deliveries, featuring 12 boundaries. This achievement marks his ninth Test century and fourth in the current Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series.

He has now equaled the legendary Don Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar for the highest number of centuries as captain in a Test series, becoming the first player to score four hundreds in their debut Test series as captain. His innings of 103 also set a record for taking over 200 balls to reach a Test century.

"He came in at 0-2 and is a young captain trying to establish himself. When the moment arose for him to perform with the bat, he did so once again. He has excelled in this series so far," said Ponting.

"He is undoubtedly a quality player. His batting style is both elegant and captivating. He possesses a profound passion for the game. In the toughest moments of this series, he has truly stood up for India," Ponting commented during a Sky Sports broadcast.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri also commended Gill, along with England captain Ben Stokes, for their determined display of skill and composure in the first session. "This is Test cricket at its finest. It’s a rigorous game that demands resilience from the strongest players, just like Gill and Stokes have shown," he remarked.

Shastri noted Stokes's efforts despite his injuries, stating, "He was showing signs of discomfort but bowled beautifully for over an hour in the first session and took out KL Rahul. He was the standout bowler making the ball talk on this pitch."

As two sessions remain, India stands at 223/4 in 89 overs, trailing England by 88 runs. The visitors face a formidable challenge to save the match and prevent England from clinching the series at Old Trafford.

Adding to India’s challenges, vice-captain Rishabh Pant will bat with a fractured right foot sustained earlier in the match. "I'd send Pant out next. His injury suggests he won't play next week, but there's a risk it could worsen if he gets hit again," Ponting explained.

"One could view it from two perspectives: if he bats, will it hinder their scoring? Perhaps it will, so maybe Shardul Thakur should go in next, followed by Rishabh. But I'd choose Rishabh first; he’s better suited to face the new ball than Shardul," Ponting concluded.