Former England batter Jonathan Trott believes that Indian captain Shubman Gill’s intentions were clear from his body language, as he stamped his authority on the field during the second Test of the England vs India series. Gill’s composed defense and brilliance with the bat drew praise from Trott, who was impressed with how the young captain handled the England bowlers.
“What also stood out was his body language and the way he scored his runs. His control against the English bowlers sent a message to the dressing room that he was taking charge (and) leading from the front. His intent was clear: ‘I’ll be there, I’ll be not out, and I’ll resume tomorrow. I’ll make sure we get into a winning position’. (It was) very impressive from such a young man — a world-class player with a bright future,” Trott said on JioHotstar.
Trott also pointed out that Gill’s confidence and calm presence on the field would have positively influenced his teammates watching from the dressing room.
“Having the confidence to execute a plan that’s not necessarily textbook, but gives you an edge over the opposition, is remarkable. As captain, that has a significant impact not just out in the middle, but also for those watching from the team balcony,” he said.
He further lauded the difference in Gill’s approach compared to the first Test, especially his tactical awareness while facing bowlers like Brydon Carse and Chris Woakes.
“Carse has a bit more pace than Chris Woakes, but what’s impressive is Gill’s understanding of how to counter both. He knows Woakes will try to attack the stumps, and without express pace, Gill formulated a plan to handle that — not something he came up with on the day, but a strategy clearly thought out well in advance. This is what separates good players from average ones and world-class players from the rest,” he added.
For more exciting articles, follow RevSportz.