In a remarkable turnaround, young Indian batsman Shubman Gill responded emphatically to his critics by securing a well-deserved third Test century during Day 3 of the second match against England in Visakhapatnam. Gill’s return to form came at a critical moment when the top-order struggled, stepping up after the early dismissal of Rohit Sharma on the same day.

Facing challenges against the precision of James Anderson, Gill initially exhibited caution, surviving an early LBW scare due to an inside edge and benefiting from an umpire’s decision in the following over. Despite these fortunate breaks, Gill’s confidence soared as he displayed aggression, including a straight six off Shoaib Bashir and a well-executed half-century.

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Gill’s innings marked a significant comeback, considering his recent struggles in Test cricket, with his career average dropping below 30 before this match. The young batter had faced criticism for a series of low scores, with his last fifty-plus score dating back to March 2023. Notably, his highest score in the 12 innings leading up to this Test was 34.

After the lunch break, Gill adopted a more composed approach, steering the innings alongside Axar Patel after the fall of two wickets. Displaying positive intent, he took charge against leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, hitting a six and two boundaries in consecutive deliveries. Gill reached his century in the 52nd over, off 132 deliveries, showcasing resilience amid calls for his potential exclusion from the Test XI following previous failures.

The century not only marked a personal triumph for Gill but also played a crucial role in reshaping the narrative around his test career.

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This innings by Shubman Gill was full of skill!
Congratulations on a well timed 100!#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/rmMGE6G2wA

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 4, 2024