A maiden Test century in December, followed up by another in March. A double-century in an ODI, a triple-figure knock in T20Is and then a tremendously successful Indian Premier League (IPL). Whatever Shubman Gill touches has turned to gold of late. He is being hailed as the next batting sensation from India, after Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
The reality is, his real test starts now. Gill has shown extraordinary potential. The sense of ease in his shot-making, his composure in the middle and the ability to excel in all formats is eye-catching. But now he has to prove that he has what it takes to remain at the highest level for a long time. There have been players who fizzled out after rousing starts. Gill has to show he does not fall in that category.
The World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia beginning at The Oval in London on June 7 is just a one-off match. It may not be a very significant pointer of where a player’s career is headed. But it will be a massive outing for Gill. He is touted as the next big thing, and this is a big match. Runs in this game would undoubtedly enhance his credentials.
It will not be easy, mind you. It’s the early English summer, and the ball is expected to swing and move off the seam. Up against him will be some of the world’s best bowlers. Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon form a very potent and proven force. They will be a lot different than they were in India in February-March during the series that India won 2-1.
And Gill has a poor record in England. He played in the last WTC final against New Zealand in Southampton in 2021, making 28 and eight. Last year against England in Birmingham, he returned scores of 17 and four. So England, clearly, is not a country where he has made an impact, although he has not played a lot over there. He was much better in Australia in his debut series in 2020-21.
It also must be remembered that two stalwarts of the current Indian team — Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli — were quite ordinary on their maiden tours of England. In fact, there are not many Indian batters other than Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid who succeeded in English conditions early on in their careers.
It should also be noted that Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid did not have to encounter truly world-class bowlers when they made those runs. Angus Fraser, Dominic Cork and Chris Lewis were good, but not in the same league as Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood. That makes Gill’s task tougher. He has to take on three of the world’s best fast bowlers, and an all-time-great spinner in Lyon.
Also, for all his potential, Gill’s Test average is 34.23 after 15 games. Yes, he has had to encounter some tough situations and face top bowlers, especially in England. But an emerging superstar has to average more than that. IPL glory will be there. Whether he can maintain that level of excellence in the most challenging format will show if he belongs in the league where the most celebrated names are.
So this WTC final will mark the beginning of a more challenging phase of Gill’s career. Oppositions will do more homework on him, do video analysis to try and find out weaker points. The bowlers will come out with a definite plan. Most important, from here on, Gill will face the pressure of expectations. The situation will change.
He has marvellous potential, no doubt about that. That was evident ever since he played for India in the under-19 World Cup. He has done a lot to enhance those credentials. But now starts the real test. He has to show that he is there, and will be there, at the highest level. One-off Test the WTC final may be, but it’s a massive game for one of world cricket’s rising stars.
Also Read: Pujara’s Solidity Key to India’s Chances of Success in WTC Final