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STUMP VISION JULY 18, 2025 | The Indian Eye 42

Shubman Gill: The Rolls-Royce

That Ran Over Bazball

Gill’s monumental double century is not just a personal triumph

— it’s a coming-of-age moment for a cricketer widely hailed as the future of Indian

cricket, now proving he’s ready for the present

Still, for all his captaincy acco-
lades, it was with the bat that Gill tru-
ly roared onto the global stage. His
269 in the first innings was a tutorial
in composure, control, and classical
technique. With over 93% control
across nearly 400 deliveries, he gave
England little more than hope and
frustration. His footwork was pre-
cise, his hands close to his body, his
head still, and his bat-pad gap nonex-
istent, a technical masterclass. More
astonishing was his adaptability: just
weeks after playing in the frenetic
ARCHAN MEHTA
tempo of the IPL, he transitioned
seamlessly into the patience-de-
n the world of Test cricket, ev- manding arena of Test cricket. And
ery now and then a performance
Icomes along that doesn’t just win if 269 wasn’t enough, he followed it
up with a second-innings 161 that
a match, it shifts narratives. Gill’s looked just as sharp. After playing
dominant display was exactly that, that many deliveries, most players
marking the transformation of a need a nap, Gill just needed another
promising youngster into a command- hundred. He knows how to cash in
ing leader and a genuine contender and get a “daddy hundred” when the
for the throne of Indian cricket. Not conditions are favorable..
only did he rack up a staggering 430 This all comes at a pivotal time
runs in the match, becoming the first for Indian cricket. With Virat Kohli
Indian to score both a double centu- and Rohit Sharma gradually step-
ry and a 150 in the same Test but he ping back from the Test spotlight,
did so with an authority that demand- Gill looks more than ready to take
ed attention, not just for the weight up the mantle. His numbers in this
of runs, but for his sharp cricketing series already echo Kohli’s early cap-
brain and calm, calculated leader- taincy days, but what sets Gill apart is
ship. Shubman Gill turned the second how effortlessly he handles the pres-
Test at Edgbaston into his LinkedIn sures that come with leadership. He
profile: Captain. Record-breaker. Ba- BCCI tweeted this graphic of India Test Captain Shubman Gill winning the player of the match remains unfazed, whether he’s facing
zball disruptor. for the second Test match against England at Edgbaston recently a fired-up bowling attack or making
That sense of authority extend-
ed into his captaincy, which felt re- a tough declaration call. His calm de-
meanor, paired with a hunger to lead
markably natural. In stark contrast ly exhausting England. By denying tantly, they were effective. He clearly from the front, is what draws com-
to the previous Test where India’s them the chance to dictate the pace, believes in action over history, stating parisons to the greats—but it’s his
leadership looked muddled, Gill Gill exposed a rare vulnerability in he doesn’t focus on past records like originality that’s truly exciting. He’s
took control with composed asser- the Bazball strategy: their discomfort India’s winless run at Edgbaston but not copying a blueprint; he’s drafting
tiveness. His on-field presence was when forced to play the long game. rather on the potential of his current his own.
evident—adjusting field placements This strategic approach reflected squad. His guiding principle of “put- Shubman Gill isn’t just filling big
confidently, making bold bowling not only awareness but vision. From ting the team ahead of yourself” was shoes, he’s designing his own limit-
changes, and executing a clear tac- assigning Akash Deep a specific end visible in every decision, particularly ed-edition sneakers.
tical plan. His decision to stretch for maximum early-morning im- in how he sacrificed personal mile-
India’s first innings across 151 overs pact to using the short-ball tactic as stones to serve the broader match Archan Mehta is a writer dedicated to
wasn’t just about building a big score; the ball softened, Gill’s moves were strategy. He wasn’t just captaining telling compelling stories about ath-
it was about mentally and physical- thoughtful and bold. More impor- the side; he was elevating it. letes, teams, and the world of cricket

www.TheIndianEYE.com