Xtra Time Web Desk: All eyes will be Team India batter Shubman Gill as gears up for the first test match against England starting at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad from Thursday. Gill, recently crowned India’s Men Cricketer of 2023, found himself under intense scrutiny as he prepared for the test series opener. The cricketer from Punjab opted for a rigorous net session on the eve of the match, a practice often reserved for reserve players. With the absence of Virat Kohli, Gill faced heightened pressure to deliver in a weakened batting lineup.
In the sweltering January sun, Gill dedicated a substantial two hours to honing his skills. Transitioning from facing seamers to confronting spinners, especially off-spinners against whom he had previously struggled, Gill focused on both attacking and defending. Seeking improvement, he instructed spinners to vary their pace, practicing against deliveries bowled slower through the air. The intensity of the session was evident as Gill, at times beaten on the outside edge, responded assertively with aggressive shots.
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Demonstrating a keen awareness of his weaknesses, Gill worked on his technique, even scraping the surface with his spikes to simulate challenging conditions. With a century in his last home Test against Australia in Ahmedabad, Gill’s subsequent performances have been inconsistent, with a highest score of 36 in seven innings. Despite pre-series deliberations over his spot in the squad, the team-management maintained faith in Gill, anticipating his ability to unlock the consistency code in Test cricket, a feat he has already achieved in ODIs where he stands as India’s most reliable batsman over the past 15 months. The upcoming Tests against England carry significant weight for Gill’s future in the longer format.
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