Shubman Gill's magnificent performance in the second Test against England has been the talk of the town, but his declaration timing has sparked debate, raising questions about whether he waited too long due to the influence, or perhaps the fear, of "Bazball" and if his tactics were, as some fans chanted, "boring".

Gill led India to a commanding position with scores of 269 and 161, setting England an imposing target of 608 runs. Despite India's dominance, Gill's decision to declare the innings at 427/6 on Day 4, with around 16 overs left in the day, has been scrutinized. Some argue that the declaration came too late, potentially jeopardizing India's chances of securing a victory, especially with a forecast of rain on the final day.

Adding fuel to the fire, England's Harry Brook was caught on the stump mic playfully urging Gill to declare earlier, quipping, "450 declare. It's raining tomorrow. Half day, afternoon, it's raining". Gill responded with "Bad luck for us," showcasing his intent to bat for as long as possible. This banter ignited discussions about whether Gill's declaration strategy was influenced by "Bazball," England's aggressive and fearless approach to Test cricket.

"Bazball," a term coined after Brendon McCullum (nicknamed "Baz"), emphasizes aggressive batting, positive field placements, and proactive captaincy. It encourages players to express themselves freely and play with a liberated mindset, prioritizing quick runs and putting pressure on the bowlers. While "Bazball" has brought excitement and dynamism to Test cricket, it has also faced criticism for its high-risk approach and vulnerability to counter-attacks.

Critics argue that "Bazball" can lead to batting collapses and undermine the balance between attack and defense. In this context, some observers questioned whether Gill's seemingly conservative approach to the declaration was a reaction to "Bazball," a tactic to nullify England's aggressiveintent by setting a target so high that even a "Bazball" approach would struggle to reach it. Others felt that India's slow batting and late declaration was overly cautious, and fans were even heard chanting "boring, boring India".

Despite the debate, Gill's performance was remarkable, with his scores of 269 and 161 making him the second Indian to score a century and double century in the same Test match. He also became only the fifth batsman to score 400 or more runs in a single Test. His aggressive partnership with Rishabh Pant, who scored 65 off 58 deliveries, further demoralized the England bowlers.

Ultimately, whether Gill's declaration was perfectly timed or a miscalculation remains to be seen. However, it has undoubtedly added another layer of intrigue to the ongoing India-England series, prompting discussions about captaincy, strategy, and the influence of "Bazball" on Test cricket.