Shubman Gill. Image Credits: AFP
When Shubman Gill took over Indiaās Test team for the England tour, he himself was not a sure starter. Despite all the panache and talent, his numbers were rather underwhelming despite batting in two preferred spots - opening and No.3.
In the previous series Down Under, Gill was also dropped for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne to accommodate all three - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul. However, the retirements of two veterans, Virat Kohli and Rohit, meant India went through a major transition.
Shubman Gillās heroics as a captain
Shubman Gillās ascension to the captaincy position was due to a combination of two things: the lack of options and leadership credentials. Gill had led Punjab domestically and also did reasonably well with Gujarat Titans in IPL.
So the selectors decided to give him a chance, but he still had a lot to prove, both as a batter and captain. He also decided to change his batting position one more time, this time replacing the legendary Virat Kohli at No.4.
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Now, Gill had big shoes to fill, that too as a captain on a daunting England tour in his maiden assignment. What unfolded was something no one expected.
He amassed 754 runs at an average of 75.40 in 10 innings, including four centuries, against England. Gill became the first Asian batter with more than 700 runs in SENA countries and just the third captain to notch up four centuries in a rubber.
Shubman Gill has been unstoppable since taking over India's Test side
Shubman Gill showed an appetite to score big runs and bat out sessions after sessions to counter Bazball. He became the first Indian to amass a double century in English conditions during his marathon knock in Edgbaston.
Even as a captain, he led the side brilliantly and took several solid calls in field placements and personnel use. For instance, Gill laid out a perfect plan to remove Zak Crawley by placing a catching backward point since he tends to drive away from the body.
Later, he used Washington Sundar smartly at Edgbaston just before Lunch to dismiss Ben Stokes. Tactically, he evolved nicely on the tour as a batter and a captain.
Gill's Record as a captain
After a solid start, Shubman has continued to build on his impressive red-ball record as a captain. He has 1076 runs at an average of 82.76 across 15 outings, including one fifty and six centuries.
Gillās conversion rate suggests he has finally translated his white-ball ability of scoring big runs into the longest format. As a player, he had a modest record, and more importantly, he converted only five fifties into centuries and was out seven times between 50 and 100.
Shubman Gill has made a bright start as a captain
In terms of results, Gill has had an impressive start, as India look to regain their old glory. So far, he has led in eight games, winning four and losing three, having a win-loss ratio of 1.330.
However, in one of those games against South Africa, Gill captained only half of the game and was retired hurt due to a neck spasm. Rishabh Pant stepped in his place midway through the Kolkata Test.
He levelled the England series 2-2 after losing the first Test before whitewashing the West Indies at home. Now, he has made a bright start to a fresh cycle against Afghanistan.
Big upcoming Tests
While Shubman Gill has made a bright start to his captaincy stint, he will face more crucial assignments in the upcoming few months. They will travel to Sri Lanka and New Zealand before facing Australia at home.
For Shubman Gill, these rubbers will bring contrasting challenges. India have been highly vulnerable on spinning decks at home, with whitewashes against New Zealand and South Africa in the last two years.
So, the Sri Lanka tour and Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home will be a challenge to improve Indiaās dominance in spin-friendly conditions. Gillās biggest test will be restoring Indiaās dominance in Asia by producing balanced pitches at home and finding ways to perform better as a team.
In New Zealand, India havenāt won a Test match since 2009. Overall, they have succeeded in only five matches and lost 10, with 10 ending in a draw, in this part of the world.
The conditions will be completely different here. Hence, Shubman Gill will not only need to bring out his best game as a batter but also lead the team shrewdly.
The next few assignments could be defining for him and India. However, Gill has done everything in his power to put early doubts to rest as a batter and captain.
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