An overcast and windswept morning in Chennai gradually gave way to clearer skies, signaling the beginning of what would be an eventful day of cricketing brilliance. The pitch remained benign, offering little assistance to the bowlers, and with India already boasting a considerable lead, the stage was set for a batting masterclass. Bangladesh’s attack, already weary and broken, faced the daunting prospect of bowling to two of India’s most promising young talents, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant. The arena was primed, the crowds in place, and the anticipation was palpable.
The third day of the test began with Gill and Pant firmly settled at the crease. The partnership between these two centurions would soon become the talk of the town. Their bat-range included a repertoire of classic cricketing strokes—Gill’s precise punch-drives and Pant’s audacious ramps over the shoulders, among others, left the opposition bewildered and the audience in awe. Their harmonious partnership, worth 167 runs, was almost perfect, save for a few quirky moments.
One incident left fans and teammates amused: a routine mid-pitch bat-clash. Gill later revealed that Pant insisted on a second bat-tap if he felt the first wasn’t timed correctly, even at the risk of damaging Gill’s bat, which had seen action during the England series. Such quirky demands were unexpected for Gill, who had spent vast amounts of time with Pant on and off the field. Ironically, despite their frequent interactions, this was the first time the duo had batted together in a Test match, a fact that added an extra layer of intrigue to their already fascinating partnership.
Previously, in the famous Gabba Test three years ago, they had bookended one of India’s most remarkable fourth-innings chases, albeit without ever batting together. Their batting positions had kept them socially distanced—Gill as the opener and Pant as the middle-order keeper-bat. Since then, both had experienced fluctuating fortunes, which diverged their paths until this serendipitous reunion in Chennai.
Gill’s Test career, which began with high hopes, had not taken off as expected. He voluntarily moved to No.3 in the batting order but still suffered a prolonged slump over 11 innings, averaging just 17.30 with a best score of 36. This wretched run of form led to questions over his place in the Test side, with critics suggesting he might not be suited to the longest format. Teams can afford patience with players showing potential, but a prolonged dip in form is hard to overlook, especially in a competitive setup like India’s.
However, a corner seemed to turn for Gill earlier this year against England. Missing several first-choice players, India needed someone to step up, and Gill did just that, scoring two centuries, a ninety, and another crucial fifty in a fourth innings. Yet, the looming question was whether a six-month gap until the next Test would disrupt this newly found momentum.
Pant’s journey was equally tumultuous.
. His red-ball career had peaked following brilliant centuries in Ahmedabad and Cape Town and a near-century in Mirpur before a severe car accident halted his momentum, sidelining him for 14 Tests. Concerns swirled about his physical recovery and whether he could resume his dual roles as keeper and batsman. The Chennai Test, however, served as a resounding affirmative, silencing most doubts.
As play resumed on the third day, India already had a commanding lead of over 300 runs on a docile pitch. Gill and Pant had the luxury to bat freely, but they still approached the early part of their innings with caution. Overnight rains had the potential to revive the pitch, and both batsmen wisely afforded the bowlers some initial respect. Once they were assured that the pitch posed no real threat, they shifted gears, treating the crowd to an array of glorious shots.
Pant, in particular, captivated everyone with his rapid pace, quickly surpassing his partner en route to his century. A dropped catch by Najmul Hossain Shanto when Pant was on 72 offered a brief moment of drama but did little to deter Pant’s confident march. His antics, including suggestively pointing out field placements to the Bangladesh captain, added to the spectacle. As he raced into the nineties, the intensity heightened. Virat Kohli, on his way to a net session, paused to witness the milestone from the boundary. Pant reached his century with a push for two, acknowledging the applause with a reflective glance towards the heavens.
Gill’s journey to his century was more composed, reflecting his recent focus and determination to improve his Test record. Ahead of the season, he had admitted to not meeting his own expectations in the format. His flawless, unbeaten century was a promising start to his declared ambition for a fruitful 10-Test stretch. “I feel like the best is still to come. Definitely,” he confidently stated during the post-match press conference.
While centuries on such benign surfaces against a struggling opposition might sometimes be overstated, the significance of these innings lies in their context. For India, this partnership reinforced the roles of their No.3 and No.5 batsmen, uniting the two heroes of the Gabba for the first time. As India looks ahead to their home season and challenging tour of Australia, having their best players not only available but performing at their peak is a reassuring prospect. In the words of Gautam Gambhir, “You will always want your best players to play.” And for now, they are not just playing but excelling in the grandest fashion.