Gill Urges Top-Order Dominance to Seal Victories

BIRMINGHAM: Ahead of the second Test against England at Edgbaston starting Wednesday, India’s newly appointed captain, Shubman Gill, has called upon the top-order batsmen to take greater responsibility and ensure comprehensive victories.

The Indian team faced a disappointing setback in the series opener in Leeds, succumbing to a five-wicket loss, despite the batting lineup achieving five individual centuries.

The team was well-placed in both innings, holding positions of 430/3 and 340/4. However, significant collapses occurred, with the team losing seven wickets for 41 runs and six wickets for 31 runs, respectively. These collapses enabled England to regain control and influence the game’s outcome.

During a pre-match press briefing, Gill addressed concerns about the lower order’s contribution, emphasizing collective accountability across the entire batting unit, including himself.

The right-handed batsman expressed regret over his dismissal against Shoaib Bashir while at 147 runs, suggesting he should have aimed to add another 50 runs in partnership with Rishabh Pant.

Quote from Gill:

“Reflecting on our batting performance, I believe I could have played with more restraint, considering the shot I played. Adding another 50 runs alongside Rishabh would have been beneficial. That is a key takeaway from my time at the crease,” Gill stated.

Gill reiterated the importance of the top order taking charge to dominate the opposition effectively. He also acknowledged that insufficient contributions from the lower order can provide opportunities for the opposition to regain momentum.

“Discussions have definitely taken place. We frequently address this, particularly regarding our batting depth. The lower order sometimes struggles to contribute as significantly as those of other teams,” he noted.

“Conversely, it’s also worth noting that I was batting at 147, and my dismissal could have been avoided. Perhaps I could have added another 50 runs in tandem with Rishabh.”

“While being dismissed by a good ball is acceptable, once a batsman is well-set and aware of limited batting depth, the top order should assume greater responsibility to bat the opposition out of contention completely.

“These perspectives offer different ways to analyze the game. However, when the last five or six batsmen do not contribute substantially, it becomes simpler for the opposition to mount a comeback.”