Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar believes that Shubman Gill‘s consistent performances with the bat in the ongoing series against England would help his confidence grow as a leader in the dressing room. Bangar added that Shubman Gill‘s increased confidence would define how the Indian team plays going forward.
India will take on England in the fifth and final Test match of a 5-match series for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy starting at the Oval on Thursday 31st July. Gill scored a valiant 103 runs off 238 balls in India’s second innings of the fourth Test match in Manchester, a knock that went a long way in helping India save the game and keep the series alive.
Sanjay Bangar opines on Shubman Gill’s growth as a leader
During an interaction on the Star Sports show ‘Game Plan’ Bangar was asked whether the match-saving knock in Manchester would help Gill grow as a captain and leader.
Bangar said, “What he has done in this particular series would do a world of good to his confidence, not only as a batter but also as a leader, because suddenly, he would find his own voice. The communication that he would have with the group and with the dressing room would be different”.
He further added, “He would be more assertive. These are the aftereffects of having a great start as a leader and being assured in your primary role as a batter. So that is only going to benefit Indian cricket, and also the way this team wants to play in the future.”
Shubman Gill is the highest run-scorer in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. As of now, he has amassed 722 runs which includes a double century and three centuries. He is averaging at 90.25 in eight innings so far. Shubman Gill the batter has shown up in the series and one hopes it helps Shubman Gill the captain in taking decisions and help in India levelling the series.
Sanjay Bangar’s opinion on Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul as openers
In the same discussion, Sanjay Bangar was also asked what has stood out for him in Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul as openers heading into the fifth Test match.
He reckoned, “I think the ability of Yashasvi Jaiswal, because we all know what KL Rahul is capable of. It’s just that he has stamped his authority on this series. As far as Yashasvi Jaiswal is concerned, you are looking at a young guy who has been successful in all conditions now- Australia, West Indies, England, and at home, he has just dominated whichever team he has played against.”
The former all-rounder Bangar highlighted that Jaiswal exhibited great discipline in the visitors’ first innings of the Manchester Test. “What I liked about this particular pair, I think the conditions were the most challenging in the first session of the Manchester Test, and how Yashasvi Jaiswal played with a lot of discipline and restraint,” Bangar observed.
Bangar also praised Jaiswal and Rahul for laying the foundation for big totals, especially in the first innings of the Manchester Test. He stated, “They were 77-odd without loss in the first session. That to me, was the reason why India could get to a score of 360. If you have to do well in England, your top order has to do the job, and they have been absolutely brilliant.”
Yashasvi Jaiswal so far has aggregated 291 runs at an average of 36.38 in eight innings in the first four Test matches against England. KL Rahul, on the other hand, has aggregated 511 runs at an average of 63.88 in his eight innings. One would hope that the opening pair continues to flourish and even do better and Shubman Gill bats the way he is doin because India needs runs from the top order in the absence of Rishabh Pant who was a prolific run scorer for India before his injury curtailed his participation in the series.
What Lies Ahead
All eyes will be on Shubman Gill and the Indian top order when the Test match gets underway at the Oval on Thursday. They must perform as a unit to put pressure on England who will be a tough nut to crack. India trail 1-2 in the series and must win the Oval Test to save the series. Can they do it? Only time will tell.