Quiet rise, loud impact

In a series rich with storylines, none shines brighter than Shubman Gill’s two centuries at Edgbaston—a double hundred in the first innings followed by a fluent hundred in the second. These weren’t just runs; they were declarations. Calm, assured, and precise, Gill has batted like a man at peace with his craft and hungry for legacy. His performance evokes memories of greats, but his demeanor is uniquely his own—measured, composed, and quietly commanding.

Gill’s effort transcends mere statistics. It’s symbolic. In a Test side transitioning from the Rohit-Kohli era, he has emerged not just as a run-machine but as a leader in the making. In cricket, leadership isn’t always worn on the sleeve—it’s carved through performances that uplift dressing rooms. Gill’s innings have done precisely that, ticking an important box for the long-term future of Indian cricket.

This Indian team has travelled to Headingley and Edgbaston without the two pillars—Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli—who for a decade formed the core of India’s Test identity. Their absence once might have unsettled the side. Today, it has sparked renewal. What could have been seen as vulnerability has instead become opportunity.

On the bowling front, Jasprit Bumrah continues to be India’s most potent weapon. Quite simply, he’s the best fast bowler in the world today. His spells swing matches, even series. But with whispers growing around the need to manage his workload, India face the delicate challenge of maintaining their edge without overburdening their spearhead. Can the supporting cast step up in his absence? That remains the pivotal question.

India’s success now depends on two fronts: ensuring depth in the bowling unit and sustaining this purple patch with the bat. Series are not won by moments, but by consistency—and that’s what this team must now deliver.

Meanwhile, England’s fearless brand of cricket—’Bazball’—has provided both threat and theater. Their refusal to play for draws and obsession with tempo can disorient teams. But it is a double-edged sword. When it works, it dazzles. When it doesn’t, it implodes. The first Test may have tilted their way, but it was as much about India’s unsettled combinations as it was about English daring.

One selection dilemma for India has been Kuldeep Yadav’s absence. A genuine match-winner, his exclusion—likely in favour of batting depth—may yet haunt India if England mount a charge against spin on a turning track.

As Day Four unfolds, the match is delicately poised. India sense a win. England believe they can chase anything. The script is unwritten.

But make no mistake—this is more than a Test match. It’s a marker of India’s next chapter. In the absence of familiar legends, a new core is being forged, and Shubman Gill stands at its very centre. Not loud, not flashy—just effective, consistent, and composed.

A craftsman at work. And perhaps, a captain with work in progress.

— The writer is a former Captain of the Mumbai cricket team

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