Shubman Gill warned; was given ultimatum to perform in 2nd India vs England Test otherwise…:

[rollingstoned]

Shubman Gill warned; was given ultimatum to perform in 2nd India vs England Test otherwise…:

 

Apparently, a failure in the Visakhapatnam Test could have led to Shubman Gill's exit from the Indian Test squad.

Shubman Gill breathed some much-needed life into his India career as he creamed a delightful century against England on Day 3 of the 2nd Test at Visakhapatnam. Gill, batting at No. 3, broke an 11-month lull, as his 104 played a crucial role in India's second innings total of 255, which set England a tough 399-run target. But did you know? Vizag Test was Gill's last chance to prove himself as one more failure would have led to his exit from the squad. Yes, Gill's Test career was actually hanging on by a thread before the 3rd Test, and just two innings remained between him continuing with the Indian team or be related to play Ranji Trophy for Punjab.

 

India’s Shubman Gill in action on Day 2 of the Vizag Test(ANI)

 

Surprised? Well, don't be. Gill was given the ultimatum before the start of the Vizag Test. According to a report by The Indian Express, Gill had to perform or perish. India's next batting superstar in the making, Gill had been woefully struggling for form ever since he returned from a bout of dengue. The first half of 2023 was all glittery for Gill, as he was racking up hundreds for fun and even won the IPL 2023 Orange Cap, but as the year progress, his form dipped, to an extent that his place in the Test XI was up for grabs. To an extent, it was right too, as the team management dropped Gill to No. 3 promoting young Yashasvi Jaiswal as opener.

 

 

In the last few months, nothing went right for Gill in Tests, and the underwhelming figures of 153 runs from 9 innings is a testament to it. His last century in Tests was back in March of 2023, when he scored 128 against Australia in Ahmedabad - the second of his career. Had Gill not performed in Vizag, he was in danger of getting released from the squad, and take part in Punjab's Ranji Trophy game against Gujarat starting February 9.

What Gill told his family

"I will go and play the Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat in Mohali," The Indian Express reported Gill as saying to one of his family members. Perhaps it was the fact that Gill was pushed against the wall that brought out the best in him. Gill's father was in attendance on Sunday as he saw his son notch up one of the most special and hardworking centuries of his career. Gill has 10 international centuries thus far, but rest assured, none as cherished as the one he dished out today. With India ambling at 30/2, out walked Gill with intensity in his eyes and forged an 81-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, the other Indian batter in the centre of a storm. It was this stand that brought India back into the game.

As Iyer and shortly after, Rajat Patidar departed to hang India in the balance at 130/4, Gill stitched another invaluable partnership of 89 runs with Axar Patel to take India's lead to above 300. The danger of getting bowled out quickly lurked but Ravichandran Ashwin's stubborn 29 lifted India's lead to one short of 400.

[tweaker]

He may play as before as he only played because his place was in danger

[BacktoCricaddict]

If true, that's a good move by TM and a good response by Gill. It is good that he was willing to go back to Ranji and work on his game, as he should have if he did not click in this match. There is no shame in doing this and players have to accept this kind of adversity and opportunity to improve.

 

There was an article elsewhere that he practiced furiously after getting out tamely in the first innings. Fortunately for himself and the team, it came together in the 2nd (with a bit of luck of course).

 

The difference between the two teams? 105 runs. Almost exactly Gill's contribution in the 2nd innings.

[BacktoCricaddict]

5 minutes ago, tweaker said:

He may play as before as he only played because his place was in danger

OR he may realize what he is capable of doing when he fully applies himself and continue doing so, because it is not fun to be on the verge of being dropped.

 

He's all of 24 yrs old. When I was 24, I had zero focus on my work. These guys have to grow up faster than most people, and sometimes they need a kick in the rear.

[wanted_desi]

Wonder if Iyer was also given thus ultimatum as he has been worse than Gill in last few series. 

[vvvslaxman]

4 hours ago, wanted_desi said:

Wonder if Iyer was also given thus ultimatum as he has been worse than Gill in last few series. 

 

There is a difference though. Iyer never looked clueless or out of place. He just gifted his wicket. But on the other hand Gill looked largely clueless against left arm spinner. Plonking frontfoot. He survived close shouts.

[Sandz]

47 minutes ago, vvvslaxman said:

 

There is a difference though. Iyer never looked clueless or out of place. He just gifted his wicket. But on the other hand Gill looked largely clueless against left arm spinner. Plonking frontfoot. He survived close shouts.

Iyer looks like a tailender against any sort of pace bowling, he is an embarrassment.

Edited February 5 by Sandz

[vvvslaxman]

1 minute ago, Sandz said:

Iyer looks like a tailender against any sort of pace bowling , he is an embarrassment.

But that is not how he got out. They play one seamer.  Gill's game against spin and seam is still suspect. His habit of having frontpad directly infront of middle stump is a recipe for disaster.

[Sandz]

37 minutes ago, vvvslaxman said:

But that is not how he got out. They play one seamer.  Gill's game against spin and seam is still suspect. His habit of having frontpad directly infront of middle stump is a recipe for disaster.

Agree Gills game is suspect against spin, but he applied himself in the second innings to grind out a century, Iyer lacks application, doesn’t look test class at all, if he can’t make runs in India then he has no utility.

[vvvslaxman]

3 minutes ago, Sandz said:

Agree Gills game is suspect against spin, but he applied himself in the second innings to grind out a century, Iyer lacks application, doesn’t look test class at all, if he can’t make runs in India then he has no utility.

 

Iyer deserves axe. But he can score a lot of runs against this attack if he applies himself.  But Gill has to dramatically improve his feet movement. 

[Vickydev]

Was nice to see his father in the stadium. Needs someone to keep him on the path that brought him so far, keep him humbled and grounded. 

 

Just hope this is not a one off

[RajBan]

7 hours ago, vvvslaxman said:

 

There is a difference though. Iyer never looked clueless or out of place. He just gifted his wicket. But on the other hand Gill looked largely clueless against left arm spinner. Plonking frontfoot. He survived close shouts.

This is not true. Iyer looked out of depth in NZ and against Anderson at home.

 

Gill definitely looked clueless as his focus is clearly gone but good that he showed some application and perseverance in the second innings. Message to him should be he sti needs to score heavily in remaining three tests or gets dropped. We can't afford one innings wonders with an average of 30-35 in our test lineup. 

[raki05]

All for PR, if they are so concerned about non performers how come Sharma, Draaavid, Mukesh and Bharat still pasrt of TM and Team respectively. Now that Gill has hit century they just want to show how they scrutinise performance and work on players so that they can perform. BC sab bikey hai media se lekar, commentrators they write what bcci and tm wants.

Edited February 6 by raki05

[SRT100]

1 hour ago, raki05 said:

All for PR, if they are so concerned about non performers how come Sharma, Draaavid, Mukesh and Bharat still pasrt of TM and Team respectively. Now that Gill has hit century they just want to show how they scrutinise performance and work on players so that they can perform. BC sab bikey hai media se lekar, commentrators they write what bcci and tm wants.

It has the double compounding effect of praising Gill and praising TM simultaneously, make each look better because of the other.

 

Hitman, Siraj, Mukesh, Bharat, Iyer have really failed miserably this series.

 

India have carried way too many passengers in each innings of batting and bowling.

[Suhaan]

9 hours ago, vvvslaxman said:

 

Iyer deserves axe. But he can score a lot of runs against this attack if he applies himself.  But Gill has to dramatically improve his feet movement. 

Hill's frontfoot goes no where ,RCC applied front foot

He was lucky to have an edge very early in the 2nd innings,he was looked sheep there with minimal foot movement

Euge bat pad gap like his u19 mate Shaw

[New guy]

10 hours ago, vvvslaxman said:

 

There is a difference though. Iyer never looked clueless or out of place. He just gifted his wicket. But on the other hand Gill looked largely clueless against left arm spinner. Plonking frontfoot. He survived close shouts.

Iyer is in the team only because he is supposed to be great against spin, if he cannot even score here there is no point of his selection. 

[Number]

I hope he is not a player who is driven by just the fear of loss of his place like KL or Rahane.

He has potential to be a great player and should work towards it.

[putrevus]

When will KL get warning, he has stunk in every pressure match and costed Indian two world cups.

 

His avg is 33 after 50 tests.

[Chaos]

Now warm him after every game even if he makes hundreds or doubles !

[figo6762]

Bull shot don’t buy two cents of this nonsense .. they are making a hero story out of this ..  I don’t know when ppl are going to wake up and smell the beans.. bcci is running Indian cricket like the hunger games .. a big popularity contest with spin off’s .. they just made shubham a hero ..they need a fair eyed , dimple chinned , poster boy to carry Indian cricket and bring in the moolah .. no way they are going to dump his ass … they know how fan crazy and Bollywood crazy Indian public are .. 

 

When was the last time Indian cricket team had a dark skinned , non Hindu , non Sikh , captain or superstar in the making .. 

 

don’t fall for this fake news ..