Skipper Gill continues fine form, slamming 161 in the second innings to follow his double ton in the first as India set England a mammoth 608-run target; visiting pacers shine thereafter as hosts struggle to 72-3 at stumps on Day Four
India captain Shubman Gill celebrates his century against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Saturday. PIC/BIPIN PATEL
Batters sometimes hit a wall, an invisible repelling force that simply refuses to yield. There perhaps can’t be a worse feeling than that. And then, sometimes, batters hit a purple patch. When they can’t stop scoring, when they make run-making appear the easiest proposition. No prizes for guessing in which category Shubman Gill currently falls.
India’s Captain Fantastic breezed to a third century in his first four innings in his new job description, another magnificent compilation during which he burned a zillion records. Gill’s fluid 161, which took his tally for the match to 430 (only Graham Gooch with 456 has made more runs in a Test match), was the bedrock around which India constructed another magnificent edifice on Saturday, an edifice that will allow them to realistically entertain hopes of a series-levelling victory on Sunday’s day five of the second Test.
England will definitely rue their decision to field first a million days back when Ben Stokes won his second toss in a row. Perhaps they did earlier, when India amassed 587 in the first innings, but after the visitors backed it up with 427 for six declared a second time around, tired limbs and fried minds would have populated the home dressing room.
India pacer Akash Deep (centre) celebrates the wicket of England opener Ben Duckett on Saturday. PIC/BIPIN PATEL
Allied with India’s first-innings lead of 180, it left Stokes’s side needing a ludicrous 608 for victory. The more realistic prospect was batting out 108 overs to come away with a draw — England pride themselves on not playing for draws — but even that possibility received twin setbacks early on with first-innings bowling heroes Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep accounting for openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett respectively. At stumps England were 72-3.
Gill showcased both facets — the nous to bat himself in and the skills required to put the foot on the accelerator — as he once again charmed a large audience with a stunningly elegant display of batting. There were numerous other contributors to India’s fourth score in excess of 350 this series. KL Rahul was the early glue when India resumed the penultimate morning on 64 for one, Rishabh Pant batted like only he can, sending the ball and his own bat soaring in different directions in a remarkable cameo that drew everyone to the edge of their seats, and Ravindra Jadeja made a second half-century in a Test for the first time.
But with their leader in such glorious touch, there were mere sideshows. Gill took a little time to find his bearings, perhaps still feeling the aftereffects of his first-innings 269, but once he got the circulation going, he catapulted several leagues.
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