TimesofIndia.com in Cardiff: Shubman Gill revealed that cramps forced him to retire from the first ODI between India and England in Birmingham on Tuesday. Before walking off the field, Indian captain Gill scored an unbeaten 80 and was joined by his deputy. Shreyas Iyer. His exit in the middle, followed by the quick wickets of Iyer and KL Rahul, made things difficult for the visitors, but Washington Sundar and Axar Patel ensured that their captain’s efforts were not in vain as India sealed a six-wicket win at Edgbaston. Speaking to BBC Test Match Special, Gill said he is expected to be fit for the second ODI at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Thursday. His demeanor on the way out of Birmingham, and on the eve of the second ODI in Wales, where the weather was hot last week, showed that he was fit and ready to take part in the most important series.At the start of the three-match ODI, with India chasing 259, Gill and Iyer put together a vital partnership of 101 off 103 balls to all but dismiss the bowlers. Before that, however, as India lost Rohit Sharma (11) and Virat Kohli (5) cheaply, England looked to be in control. Two of India’s batsmen returned to the fold and the scoreboard read 48 for 2 in 8.3 overs.
Shubman Gill scored 80 in the first ODI against England.
As Shreyas Iyer, who made a disappointing start as T20I captain for Ireland and England, joined Gill in the middle, the challenge was to take the challenge instead of worrying about the required pace, which was under the ball.In his 75-ball 80, which included 11 fours and a six, Gill spent 120 minutes at the crease. Instead of driving during the power-play, the 26-year-old opted to succumb to pressure from seamers Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue. At the place where they were providing help to the seamers, Gill and Rohit Sharma, another opener, chose to waste their time. The first innings had already shown that the pitch was helping the new bowlers with pace, change and follow through.While Rohit remained the more cautious of the two, Gill executed his runs, and runs, to perfection. After opening his innings with a back-to-back boundary, Gill remained quiet for the next 13 overs, scoring just four runs during that time. With England continuing with the pace, including Sam Curran, Gill was content to perform in singles and dots.
Indian batsman Shubman Gill celebrates his 1st ODI against England, at the Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham on Tuesday. (ANI photo)
When the strategy changed, Gill picked up Adil Rashid, Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks. Liam Dawson, too, was brought into the plot. In the 21st year, there was a sweep of the hind leg. In the next over, Gill played a brilliant inside-out spot over extra cover for another boundary.Fittingly, and showing the extent of his music, seconds after receiving treatment from the physio for a cramp, he played the Jacks at midfield for another boundary. Even as the story continues, Gill’s tempo in the chase has not dropped. Instead, he continued to pick up singles and doubles by pushing the ball further and further.What sets Gill apart as a pacer is not only his ability to attack when needed and change the batting when needed. It’s his ability to score without sliding, not constantly flying, and using the outside court smartly.
India skipper Shubman Gill plays the shot during the first ODI against England, at the Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham on Tuesday. (ANI photo)
Of Gill’s 11 boundaries, five came on the back side and six on the leg side. His only six, off Josh Tongue, went over the deep back leg boundary. The cutting shot was very productive, producing 16 runs, including two boundaries.With Gill’s availability for the second ODI not fully confirmed, it is difficult to find anyone who has mastered the art of bowling Virat Kohli as seamlessly as Gill has.Gill’s knock at Edgbaston was a reminder that the best ODI runs are not built on aggression. Instead, they want clarity of thought, flexibility and confidence in the process. In a place where survival was more important than chasing goals, Gill saw the situation better than anyone else. He attacked only when the game allowed him and ensured that India did not lose sight of the target.Pain may have prevented him from completing the work, but the work was already done. It was some innings that inspired why, at just 26 years of age, Gill is fast emerging as the pick of the next generation of Indian ODI batsmen.
