CHENNAI: On Friday evening, as Shubman Gill faced the crease for the second innings against Bangladesh, something felt distinctly different. The previous day had been dismal for him—an eight-ball duck resulting from nicking a lackluster delivery—but this time, he was determined not to squander another opportunity. The first change he made was to avoid committing to his forward press too early.

In the first innings, Gill adopted a leg-stump guard while standing significantly outside the crease. He would shuffle towards the middle-stump with his habitual forward press before making a decision on how to play the ball. This movement sometimes led him too far towards the off-stump, and he continued this pattern through the eight balls he faced.

In contrast, during the second innings, Gill maintained his position outside the crease but opted to shuffle slightly back, waiting until the ball left Taskin Ahmed’s hand before making his shot decision. Though it might seem like a minor adjustment, it paid off. Gill ensured he wasn’t pre-committing to any particular shot, giving himself a fraction more time to react.

Regardless of whether it was Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, or Nahid Rana bowling, Gill adhered to this new approach. It wasn’t just about staying in the crease and playing late; even when he moved to the front foot, he refrained from his usual powerful drives and flicks. Instead, he played with soft hands, aiming to find gaps rather than power through the fielders. His execution was evident in his boundaries against pace—several off-side punches, two pull shots, and a short-arm jab—all executed from the backfoot, allowing him to swiftly reach his fifty and ultimately score over 50 runs for the year in the longest format of cricket.

Against spinners like Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Gill switched tactics. He advanced down the pitch, hitting them down the ground and over midwicket, utilizing his long reach effectively. Occasionally, he employed the sweep shot, but his strategy was primarily anchored on solid front-foot defense. By using his feet adeptly, he managed to score five fours and four sixes. In his own words, Gill emphasized placing value on his wicket and not rushing, even when Rishabh Pant surged past him to a century. He took his time at the crease, culminating in his fifth overall century and third in 2024 with a nudge wide of midwicket off 161 deliveries. He remained unbeaten on 119 as India declared at 287/4 in the second session.

Although his century celebration was subdued—a mere raising of the bat and a bow—Gill knew this innings held special significance. Having expressed interest in moving down to No. 3, the 25-year-old aimed to solidify his position there. He had already made an impact during the England series, amassing 452 runs at an average of 56.5, including two centuries. However, he was determined not to let it be a one-series wonder and focused on maintaining consistency.

Reflecting on the day’s play, Gill remarked, “It is very rewarding. The series against England gave me a lot of confidence. It felt like a long time coming for me, especially batting at No. 3. I was obviously very disappointed with how I got out in the first innings. But as a batter, you can’t dwell on it too much. It motivated me to spend more time at the crease and put extra value on my wicket.”

Since making his Test debut in Melbourne three years ago, Gill has evolved considerably as a batter. While he has yet to leave a significant mark in the shortest format of the game, he ranks third for most runs across formats since his Test debut, trailing only Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. With 12 centuries—more than anyone else—and having captained Gujarat Titans in the IPL, it’s no surprise that team management and selectors see leadership potential in him. They named him captain for the Zimbabwe tour and vice-captain for the Sri Lanka trip to prepare him for future responsibilities.

This year, Gill has shown signs of not only learning but also executing and growing as both a batter and an all-round cricketer. Yet, he acknowledges there’s more room for improvement. When asked if he feels he’s in his best phase as a batter, he responded, “I feel the best is yet to come. Definitely.” Indeed, his Chennai century stands as another testament that he’s on the right trajectory.