Follow UsShubman Gill's credentials as a Test batter in SENA conditions were highly doubted, and several people wrote his technique off away from home. The 25-year-old, however, answered all those critics and questions in fine fashion, smashing 147 on his Test captaincy debut against England at Headingley, on June 21 (Saturday).
During his stroke-filled stay at the crease, the commentators were constantly talking about the change in technique, which has allowed Gill to tackle his weakness - ball-nipping back on to the stumps. After day three, when India amassed 471 runs, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak spoke about Gill’s change in technique, praising the skipper for coming up with his technique.
“After Australia (tour), he has thought about certain things which he implemented," Kotak said in the post-day press conference.
“Because after (the) Australia (tour) and England series (followed by) Champions Trophy and then we had IPL, I wouldn’t say that I had a lot of time to do things (with Gill). But obviously, he worked on certain things and as soon as I saw him in the nets, I did speak to him that ‘you made certain changes’ and he said yes. A lot of credit to him for analysing what he needs to do and I think he did it really well," Kotak added.
However, Gill wasn’t alone; he was first supported by a stellar century from Yashasvi Jaiswal and then a hundred from Rishabh Pant. The latter smashed 134 off 178 deliveries, where he didn’t fear any bowler, and even threatened to smash the spinners despite fielders stationed in the deep boundary.
So, what was the plan for Pant from the batting coach?
“Rishabh Pant is someone who makes his own plans. He decides (the way) and (then) he bats. This innings was a little different than you would see him normally but honestly that is all his plans. The way he wanted to approach it and when he wanted to attack, he did (and just) because he plays aggressive (cricket) does not mean he cannot play defensive," Kotak said.
But ultimately, India would feel that they are several runs short at the end of the day, given that they were 430/3 at one stage. Eventually, that 430/3 turned into 453/6 before the English bowlers cleaned up the bowlers, as India were bowled out for 471.
“It was a bit of a collapse, I would say, because batsmen were also there. From 430 for three to 471 all out, batsmen also got out in it, isn’t it? So, it wasn’t only the last five; it was a bit of a collapse. We were expecting better than that, but it can happen," he said.