It is testing times for Shubman Gill as captain so far in the fourth Test in Manchester. The Indian skipper just scored 12 runs off 23 balls and made some tactical errors as captain on the field.
Firstly, he took two incorrect DRS calls very early in England’s innings, leaving him now with just one left with England over 400 runs in their first innings. Meanwhile, the hosts are looking to build on a healthy lead with the Indian bowlers tiring.
Gill operated with just four bowlers on day 2 of the fourth Test. He used Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj for long spells, giving Shardul Thakur five and Ravindra Jadeja just eight overs on the second day. He did not even bring Washington Sundar into the attack.
Gill Schooled On Social Media For Delaying Sundar's Introduction With The Ball
Gill delayed Washington Sundar’s introduction as late as the 69th over of the England innings. By then, England were well on course in their innings after their openers had set up the innings and taken forward by the likes of Ollie Pope and Joe Root.
Pope and Root added 144-run stand between themselves and it was finally in the 77th over of England’s innings. Soon after, he dismissed Ollie Pope (71 runs off 128 balls), he dismissed Harry Brook (3 runs off 12 balls) as well with England on 341 and 359 runs respectively.
Meanwhile, Gill’s captaincy was hugely criticised on social media. Followers also slammed the Indian skipper on social media for bringing Sundar way late into the bowling innings. Eventually, he turned out to be India’s most successful bowler.
Thakur On Gill's Decision To Underbowl Him
Shardul Thakur in the post-match press conference after the second day’s play said that it was Shubman Gill’s call to not bowl him too many overs which surprised the Indian cricket fans very much.
"Giving bowling is the captain's call. Not in my hands. The captain decides when to give them," "I could have bowled two overs more today but that is the captain's call. It is difficult to find rhythm but I try and use my experience,” Shardul said in the press conference after the end of the day's play.
Meanwhile, England have marched forward in their innings since the loss of Pope and Brook with Joe Root scoring his 38th Test ton and his 11th against India. England are in sight of crossing well over 500 runs by the end of the day’s play.
