“Truly remarkable.” That’s how Shubman Gill summed up India’s uplifting 4-1 series win in Harare. A succinct phrase that glosses over the early setback India encountered, losing the first match, and perhaps downplays the thorough dominance they exhibited in the following games. The series did more than just mark a collective comeback for the team; it orchestrated a significant personal revival for Gill. Not long ago, Gill was on the sidelines, dropped from the T20 World Cup squad. But, in Harare, he was picked to lead a relatively inexperienced group, and he seized the opportunity to send a compelling message to the national selectors.
Shubman Gill displayed not just his tactical nous as a skipper, but also his mettle as an opening batsman. Accumulating a total of 170 runs at a strike rate of 126, he stood as the top-scorer of the series. His performance was not merely a display of numbers but a reaffirmation of his readiness for the format. With the retirement of stalwarts such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from T20Is, Gill’s performance significantly augments his credentials for a permanent spot as an opener alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, his path is studded with competition.
One of Gill’s key rivals for the opening spot is his Punjab teammate, Abhishek Sharma. Fresh off a power-packed IPL, Abhishek carried his form into the international setup. He capitalized on his two opportunities at the top of the order, peaking with a century in his second outing. His aggressive style aligns perfectly with India’s evolving approach to T20 cricket. Additionally, there’s Ruturaj Gaikwad, who, despite not getting a chance to open in this series, remains a significant contender due to his prolific run-scoring ability.
“It’s a good thing that everyone’s performing,” said Gill, reflecting on the performance of the squad’s four top-five run-getters. “It shows that everyone is hungry and nobody is ready to take it easy. For any country or board, that’s always a good thing.”
Gill highlighted the importance of seizing opportunities.
. “Anyone who got the opportunity grabbed it with both hands. The openers to bowlers to all-rounders to spinners, everyone made a mark. I think the selectors have now seen everything, and it’s up to them to name the squad for the next series – 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs in Sri Lanka.”
Although Gill’s strike rate of 126 was lower than those of his peers – Jaiswal (166), Gaikwad (158), and Abhishek (175) – the Indian captain attributed this to the challenging nature of the pitches in Harare. “The wickets were a little challenging for the first 5-6 overs and the ball always did something in the powerplay,” explained Gill. “So, we tried not to lose many wickets upfront and then capitalize later.”
Gill’s leadership in Harare, however, has been lauded as a bright spot for India’s future post-Rohit Sharma’s retirement. “One thing about captaincy, I feel, is how much confidence you can show in your players,” Gill noted. “I try to do that and make them believe that if you try and execute the plans, the results will always follow.”
Reflecting on the series, Gill acknowledged the pressure following the opening defeat but praised the resilience of his team. “After losing the first match, we were under a bit of pressure. It’s not easy to play back-to-back games. The series was planned in a way that there were two back-to-back games, a couple of days rest, and then again back-to-back games. It’s never easy playing a series like that, but I think the way we came back after losing the first T20I was really remarkable.”
Gill found the team’s adaptability particularly commendable. “I think going 1-0 down in the series and then the way we came back was truly remarkable. Seeing everyone hungry and so quickly adapting to the situation and assessing the conditions was truly spectacular to watch.”
With the echoes of Harare still resonating, the focus now shifts to the upcoming series in Sri Lanka. The competition for the opening spot is intensifying, and as Gill pointed out, it’s a ‘good thing’ for Indian cricket. The selectors have a wealth of talent to choose from – players who have proven their mettle under challenging conditions – making their task both exciting and challenging.