IND vs BAN: Stunning! What is Shubman Gill's record at No.3 in Tests for Team India?
Xtra Time Web Desk: Shubman Gill smashed his fifth Test century and the second one against Bangladesh in the series opener at the Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Gill, who was dismissed for a duck in an unfortunate manner in the first innings, getting caught down the leg side, made amends with a masterful century in the second innings. On Day 3, Gill became only the second Indian No.3 after former captain and head coach Rahul Dravid to score a Test century at this venue. In 35 Tests in Chennai, Dravid was India's only No.3 to score a century before Gill joined him.
Apart from that, Shubman's father was all smiles as the Indian star silenced his critics by scoring a magnificent 119 runs during the second innings. Gill had come under scrutiny after he was dismissed for an 8-ball duck in the first innings of the match. However, he would bounce back in the second innings in typical fashion.
Read More: IND vs BAN: Yashasvi Jaiswal rewrites history, breaks Sunil Gavaskar’s 51-year-old Test record
Gill would hit his 100 in 161 balls as he and Rishabh Pant would put the Bangladesh bowlers to the sword. Gill ended up scoring 119 and remained unbeaten as India scored 287 runs for the loss of 4 wickets and set a target of 515 runs for Bangladesh to chase. Gill's father was in attendance at the Chepauk to see his son reach the milestone on Saturday. In a video shared by the Bharat Army, he was seen clapping after Gill had reached the landmark.
Shubman Gill continued to showcase his growing expertise with a second hundred in his last four second innings outings. In the series against England, he had already posted scores of 104, 91, and an unbeaten 52. Resuming on 33 on Day 3, Gill started cautiously but soon signaled his intent with two sixes off Mehidy Hasan to reach his half-century.
Read More: IND vs BAN: Game-Changer! Which record of MS Dhoni did Rishabh Pant equal? You'll be surprised to know!
A moment to savour for @ShubmanGill as he notches up his 5th Test CENTURY ????????
Live - https://t.co/fvVPdgXtmj… #INDvBAN @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/W4d1GmuukB
From that point, both Gill and Rishabh Pant shifted into attack mode, almost as if racing each other to their hundreds. There was only one brief moment of danger for Gill when Taijul Islam nearly pulled off a sharp catch. After that, the young batter remained composed, although Pant reached his century first, notching his 6th Test hundred before being dismissed.
The pair's 167-run partnership put the match firmly out of Bangladesh’s reach. Gill, determined to accelerate, moved into the 90s with consecutive boundaries off Shakib Al Hasan before reaching his century with a calm single, celebrating in his trademark style.
