Chennai: The first innings of India’s match against Bangladesh will surely be scrutinized for its rusty top-order batting. Similarly, the adaptability of India’s bowlers to the third-day Chennai track, particularly after Bangladesh’s quick 62-run opening stand, will be a point of discussion. However, the immediate focus should be on the remarkable mindset of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, who showed no half measures in either defense or attack. Gill’s steadfast fifth Test century complemented Pant’s explosive sixth Test century, his first in nearly two years, elevating India to a commanding position and signaling an invigorating truth: their time is arriving.

The first hint of this potential surfaced back in 2021 during the fifth day of the Gabba Test. India faced a daunting 328-run target without key players Virat Kohli, Hanuma Vihari, and Ravichandran Ashwin. While Cheteshwar Pujara stood firm, the chase was fueled by Gill at the top and Pant’s finish. The promise was evident but needed consistency to transform into expectation. Now, nearly four years later, with Gill scoring his third hundred of 2024 and Pant resuming Test cricket seamlessly, India can be more than reassured.

The conditions in Chennai were different from Gabba; overnight rain had added moisture to the pitch, and Bangladesh was determined not to surrender easily. Starting the day on 33 and 12 respectively, with India already leading by 308 runs, Gill and Pant had every reason to proceed cautiously. Yet, they chose a balanced approach. “We spoke about spending more time initially due to potential moisture from the rain,” Gill shared in the post-day press conference. “But after playing a few overs, we aimed to dominate since runs weren’t our immediate concern.”

Pant’s aggressive style was crucial in this counterattack. His batting often walks a fine line between risk and reward, but on such days, he fully embraces his fearless approach. This included taking on Mehidy Hasan Miraz one-handed and reverse-sweeping Shakib Al Hasan to set an assertive tone. A dropped catch by Najmul Hossain when Pant was on 72 spurred him further, leading to a flurry of boundaries that propelled him to his century. Meanwhile, Gill displayed technical mastery, using his feet adeptly to handle varied deliveries from Bangladesh.

Gill and Pant offer contrasting but equally captivating batting styles. Pant’s inventive approach stems from an instinct to outsmart bowlers and field placements, creating opportunities but also capitalizing heavily on them. Gill is more conventional, with textbook techniques that coaches admire—head still, leaning into cover drives. This training has enabled Gill to transition smoothly from opening to batting at No.3, a subtle yet significant change in batting order.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been instrumental in their growth. Initially with Kolkata Knight Riders and later with Gujarat Titans, Gill’s value soared as a batter capable of accelerating the scoring rate with ease. Pant has incorporated pragmatism into his T20 batting. These adjustments have translated well into their Test performances, evident in their ability to defend and attack cohesively. Their partnership added 124 runs in just 28 overs during the first session.

India eventually declared at 287/4, setting an improbable target of 515 for Bangladesh. Despite a spirited start by Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam against India’s pacers, Bangladesh’s momentum slowed once Ravichandran Ashwin began his spell. Post-tea, Bangladesh began to falter; Hasan was brilliantly caught by Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully. Hossain briefly countered Ashwin with a six but succumbed after Islam’s dismissal at short midwicket. Mominul Haque fell to Ashwin’s drift, the ball turning just enough to clip his off-stump. Mushfiqur Rahim’s mishit off Ashwin landed in KL Rahul’s hands at mid-on. Though Hossain remains unbeaten on 51, Bangladesh’s hopes are all but extinguished.

In conclusion, the performances of Gill and Pant not only boosted India’s position but also underscored their growing prominence in the team. Their unique styles and strategic adaptability have added a new dimension to India’s batting lineup, promising a bright future ahead.