On a morning that began with overcast skies and gusty winds, the stage was set for a spectacle. The pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium was compliant, runs were aplenty, and Bangladesh’s bowling attack had been thoroughly dismantled. As the duo of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant took center stage, the early sounds of brilliance heralded an innings to remember.
Both centurions, part of a 167-run partnership, carried with them the promise of delivering fans an array of glorious strokes. The punch-drive, the cheeky ramp, the elegant lofted shot, and its dramatic one-handed counterpart were all on full display. Their harmonized batting was nearly flawless, save for some peculiar interruptions.
One such interruption included a rather strange mid-pitch ritual instigated by Pant. Gill revealed how Pant would insist on a repeated bat tap if the first one didn’t satisfy him, a quirk he found both endearing and exasperating. This routine, while humorous, signified the unique dynamic between the two players—partners for the first time in Test match history despite having shared much of their cricketing journey.
Their relationship goes way back to their memorable performances in Australia’s Gabba Test three years prior. Though they lit up that historic chase, they never batted together, often separated by their distinct roles: Gill, the plucky opener, and Pant, the resilient middle-order keeper. Since then, they had faced divergent paths marked by struggles and stellar moments.
Gill’s Test career has been a rollercoaster, initially not living up to the sky-high expectations. In a stretch of 11 innings between the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023 and the Hyderabad Test, he averaged a mere 17.30, leading skeptics to question his place in the format. His dismissals, predictable against both pace and spin, cast a further shadow of doubt. However, a breakthrough series against England earlier this year saw him amass two centuries, a ninety, and a critical fifty, breathing new life into his Test ambitions.
Pant, on the other hand, seemed to have found his stride in the red-ball format with centuries in Ahmedabad and Cape Town, and a 93 in Mirpur. However, a tragic car accident sidelined him for 14 Test matches, casting uncertainty over his cricketing future. Could he return to his peak? Chennai provided a resounding answer.
.
As day three commenced with India comfortably ahead by over 300 runs, Gill and Pant batted as if unburdened by any pressure. While each Test innings requires dedication and concentration, the duo navigated the early morning cautiously, wary of any lingering effects from overnight rain. Once settled, they began unleashing their shots, dispatching the ball to all parts of the ground.
Pant, ever the aggressor, raced ahead of Gill towards his century. Approaching his milestone with a mix of swagger and signature quirkiness, he even suggested field placements to Bangladesh’s captain, much to the crowd’s amusement. A dropped catch by Najmul Hossain Shanto on 72 didn’t impede Pant’s progress. As he surged into the nineties, it wasn’t just about the century but the monumental journey back from adversity.
Virat Kohli halted his net session to witness the moment. Pant reached his hundred with a composed push for two, marked by a poignant look to the sky, acknowledging his comeback while the Chepauk crowd erupted in applause.
Gill’s path was more methodical, less of a sprint and more of a glide. Prior to the series, he acknowledged falling short of his own expectations and aimed to rectify that over a 10-Test stretch. His serene, unbeaten century was a testament to resilience and skill. He reflected, “I feel like the best is still to come. Definitely,” in his post-match interview.
While scoring centuries on benign pitches against a demoralized opponent may sometimes feel overstated, these particular innings held deeper significance. Their partnership not only ensured India’s dominance but reinforced their individual roles within the team as they look forward to a demanding home season and a tour of Australia. For Gill and Pant, this partnership wasn’t just about filling their boots, but setting a precedent for the future.
As Gautam Gambhir aptly said before the season, “You will always want your best players to play.” For now, India’s best are not just playing; they are thriving.