Shubman Gill's sensational batting display in the ongoing Test series against England has sparked high praise, with Sourav Ganguly declaring it among the best he's witnessed in three decades of watching cricket in the UK. Ganguly's assessment elevates Gill's performance above Virat Kohli's celebrated 2018 tour, setting a new benchmark for Indian batsmen in England.
Ganguly, speaking to Revsportz, expressed immense satisfaction in Gill, who he had identified before the series as someone with the potential to succeed Virat Kohli. "Shubman is batting like a dream," Ganguly stated. "In my three decades of playing and watching cricket in the UK, this is one of the best exhibitions of batting that I have seen. He is simply flawless. There are no chinks in his armour and the English bowlers don't look like getting him out". He further added, "Gill isn't making a single mistake. He was always pleasing to the eye. And now he is showing the hunger and the temperament. If you see him now, you will be left wondering how can he have an average of less than 50 in Test cricket".
Gill's Edgbaston performance has been record-breaking. In the second Test, Gill became the first Indian and Asian captain to score a double century in England. He also surpassed Kohli's previous record of 254 as the highest score by an Indian Test captain. Furthermore, Gill became only the second player after Sunil Gavaskar to register twin centuries in a Test as captain. Gill's scores of 269 and 161 in the match made him the first batter in Test history to score 250 and 150 in the same match. His aggregate of 430 runs is the second-highest by any batter in a single Test match at Edgbaston, only behind Graham Gooch's 456 against India in 1990.
Ganguly emphasized Gill's hunger to "go big" in every innings, aiming for double centuries, a quality he finds "fantastic to see". Gill's success has been attributed to improvements in his defensive technique. Ravi Shastri noted that Gill had worked on his defence and is now allowing the ball to come to him, trusting his defence. Shastri had said, "When Shubman Gill last came to England, he was like Virat Kohli... Now, the top hand is in much more control".
Gill's captaincy has also drawn attention. After initial criticism, Nasser Hussain acknowledged Gill's "calm and composed" demeanor, which he believes suits the Indian team. Hussain also praised Gill's tactical acumen, citing an instance where he changed Akash Deep's end, leading to crucial wickets. Gill's leadership has guided India to a historic first-ever Test win at Edgbaston, marking their first victory at the venue since 1967. This win leveled the series 1-1.
While comparisons to Virat Kohli have been frequent, some observers, like Nasser Hussain, are starting to see Gill as a distinct leader with his own style. Ganguly had also urged Gill to focus on Test match batting, particularly improving his defence and ability to leave deliveries outside off stump in English conditions.
Shubman Gill's remarkable batting and leadership in England have not only etched his name in cricket history but have also positioned him as a potential successor to the likes of Kohli. With the series leveled and momentum on India's side, Gill will be looking to continue his impressive form at Lord's.
