Emulating the illustrious Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill etched his name in the record books by smashing his fifth century as captain within a single calendar year. This magnificent innings propelled India to a commanding total of 518/5 declared, establishing a formidable lead against the West Indies.
The day was a mix of unexpected turns and Gill’s consistent brilliance. While the West Indies showed a brief, spirited resistance with the bat – a welcome deviation from expectations – India’s spin wizards, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, quickly asserted control, reducing the Windies to 140/4 in their reply.
Resuming his innings on an overnight score of 20, Gill’s preparation was evident. He meticulously practiced his bat swing, showcasing a clear intent to dominate. Addressing previous vulnerabilities against incoming deliveries, he maintained a disciplined bat-pad gap and precise footwork. This allowed him to time his shots with exquisite accuracy, while also demonstrating the adventurous streak to step out and disrupt the bowlers’ lengths.
His knock was a true masterclass, adorned with elegant flicks, powerful backfoot punches, graceful cover drives, incisive cuts, and a stunning lofted drive. Gill deftly outmaneuvered rival captain Roston Chase’s field placements, consistently piercing gaps and accumulating boundaries in quick succession. This strategic prowess has elevated his captaincy average to an impressive 84.41 after just seven Tests, a figure second only to the legendary Don Bradman.
Gill’s exceptional performance, combined with brisk 40s from the promoted Nitish Kumar Reddy and Dhruv Jurel, guided India to their massive declared total. It’s a confident prediction that India will not require a second innings in this match.
However, the day was not without its moments of high drama. Gill’s solid partnership with young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal ended abruptly in a controversial run-out. Jaiswal, on a brilliant 175 (258 balls, 22 fours) and seemingly headed for a double century, was dismissed after a mix-up with Gill. Visibly shocked and exchanging words, Jaiswal’s departure was intensified by replays suggesting wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach may have dislodged the bails prematurely. This incident brought back memories of Jaiswal’s similar run-out drama with Virat Kohli in Melbourne, although both times, the initial call came from him.
Another unusual dismissal occurred when West Indies opener John Campbell slog-swept Ravindra Jadeja directly into the helmet grille of forward short leg. Sai Sudharsan, positioned perfectly, pulled off a spectacular catch despite hurting his hand in the process and leaving the field.
Later, Jaiswal gracefully diffused the run-out controversy, calling it “a part of the game.” Gill’s batting spectacle undoubtedly compensated for any disappointment among the Delhi crowd. In matches where India is heavily favored, such encounters can often feel like a formality. Yet, Ravindra Jadeja (3/37 off 14 overs) and Kuldeep Yadav had to work hard for their wickets against a West Indies side that displayed unexpected resilience on a Kotla pitch offering little assistance to the bowlers.
Alick Athanaze and Tagenarine Chanderpaul forged the West Indies’ first half-century partnership of the series, momentarily frustrating the Indian attack. Athanaze, with a commendable 41 off 84 balls, recorded the highest individual score for the West Indies in the series before the team’s collapse. A series of nervy strokes and consecutive wickets between the 33rd and 34th overs, claiming Athanaze and captain Chase, left the West Indies struggling at 140/4 by stumps.
These soft dismissals, though inexplicable, ultimately restored the expected balance, allowing Gill to bask in the glory of his magnificent form. His innings unequivocally signaled his emergence as India’s next premier batting superstar and a clear leader in the Test format. As Ravindra Jadeja summarized, “It helps the team when the captain leads by example. Gill and Jaiswal are part of a new generation which believes in taking responsibility.”
Despite the celebrations surrounding Gill, Jaiswal was left to ponder what might have been, a sentiment shared by several West Indies batters who couldn’t convert their starts.