There’s ample reason to believe that more centuries are on the horizon, but more importantly, India’s No. 3 batsman is starting to justify the faith placed in him.
Shubman Gill's signature bow upon reaching a hundred has become a familiar sight for Indian cricket fans, a moment of aesthetic brilliance to be appreciated. However, just last February, this celebration was absent from his repertoire.
Since voluntarily taking on the No. 3 position during the West Indies tour in 2023, Gill endured a drought, going 10 consecutive innings without surpassing 40 runs. He faced several challenges, including issues with his front foot that made him vulnerable to pace bowlers and unexpected difficulties against spin. It seemed he struggled with trust in his own defence.
For a batsman who never experienced three consecutive innings without a major score in age-group cricket, the mounting failures added significant pressure. Not even a century could soothe the fear of missing out. "At one point, I felt disconnected from the sport. Even when I played well, I didn’t feel right. I constantly felt I was behind, and the joy of succeeding in that one game was absent," Gill shared with The Indian Express in May.
Despite scoring a defining century in Vizag against England earlier this year, his signature bow was missing. However, it made a return in Dharamshala weeks later and reemerged last week in Chennai against Bangladesh. Following a dismissal down the leg side in the first innings, Gill’s second-innings century was his most fluid performance in some time. Although the bowling offered limited challenge, the No. 3 position does not usually afford the luxury of boredom.
There’s every indication that further hundreds are on the way, as India’s No. 3 is beginning to repay the confidence placed in him. Signs suggest that Gill has diligently worked to enhance his game, particularly in dealing with spinners and addressing his struggles against in-swinging deliveries. Throughout his career, spinners have often found an opening against him, exploiting both edges and capitalising on his hesitance.
Since that pivotal innings in Vizag, Gill has transformed into a more confident batsman. He now exudes assurance in his defence and has effectively integrated footwork, enabling him to both defend and attack spin bowlers. "I started practising against spinners when I was quite young," Gill explained. "Being a tall player made it easier for me to use my feet, while playing lofted shots developed later as I gained strength. Initially, I focused more on stepping down to rotate the strike. This way, bowlers struggle to settle, especially on pitches where some balls turn unpredictably."
Beyond his improved performance against spinners, it is his aggressive intent that led the previous coaching staff, under Rahul Dravid, to back Gill in the No. 3 role. They recognized a pattern in challenging foreign conditions, where a dynamic No. 3 was essential as they moved on from Cheteshwar Pujara.
With a unique technique that doesn’t strictly conform to convention, there were solid reasons to support Gill’s approach. Growing up playing on cement pitches, he developed a robust back-foot game and exceptional shot variety. His unconventional bat swing allows him to manipulate deliveries that would stifle most others. It’s no wonder that India views Gill as a potential run-machine. Gill himself aspired to that role; as a teenager, he frequently visited the Cricket Archive website to gauge Virat Kohli’s scores at his age. His ambition was always high, but perhaps the intense desire to succeed initially overshadowed his enjoyment of the game until he recalibrated his approach.
As Gill continues to adapt to his role, he has eight more home innings before facing a significant challenge in Australia. In his debut tour Down Under during the 2020/21 season, Gill made an impressive mark with a score of 91 during a remarkable run chase at Gabba. Since that moment, he has only continued to improve, earning the title of Prince of Indian cricket as he awaits his royal coronation. This season will undoubtedly provide clarity on how soon he may claim his throne.