In the world of Test cricket, performing consistently is a monumental challenge, which is why not every player reaches the prestigious milestones of 50 or 100 Tests. The sheer expectation placed on players, especially those touted for greatness, can be overwhelming. Shubman Gill, a talented cricketer who has been hailed as the future star of Indian cricket for several years, is no stranger to this pressure. While he has dazzled fans with his performances in ODIs, he has faced hurdles in the longer format of the game. However, the young batsman is gradually carving out his niche, particularly shining in a challenging area where even seasoned players often falter: batting in the second innings.
Shubman Gill’s Triumph in the Second Innings
Shubman Gill’s prowess in the second innings has become a hot topic, especially after his remarkable performance during the Chennai Test against Bangladesh. On September 21, Gill scored an impressive 119 runs (not out) on the third day of the Test, showcasing his ability to thrive when the pressure is on. Scoring runs in the second innings, which comprises the team’s third and fourth innings, is no easy feat, particularly in the Indian subcontinent where pitches tend to deteriorate significantly, making life easier for spinners as the match progresses.
This unique challenge is why high scores in the second innings are a rarity. Many batsmen struggle to adapt to the changing conditions, but Shubman Gill seems to excel in these situations. Throughout his 26-match Test career thus far, Gill has often found it difficult to make an impact in the team’s first innings. This was the case in Chennai, where he was dismissed for a duck after facing just eight balls, drawing criticism from pundits and fans alike. However, the real story is his transformation in the second innings, where he reigns supreme.
The Statistics Speak Volumes
Gill’s numbers underline his dominance in the second innings. Making his Test debut during the Australian tour in the 2020-21 season, he scored his first half-century (91 runs) in the Brisbane Test—once again, in the second innings, while India chased a historic target. His first Test century took a bit longer, but it also came in the second innings, when he scored 110 runs against Bangladesh in December 2022. Following that, additional performances solidified his reputation: he scored 104 runs in India’s second innings during the Visakhapatnam Test.
Comparative Success to Legends
More recently, in Rajkot, Gill recorded 91 runs, narrowly missing another century. In Ranchi, he added another not-out fifty to his tally. Analyzing his overall performance so far, Gill has batted in the first innings 26 times, accumulating 744 runs at a modest average of 28.61, which includes just 2 centuries and 2 half-centuries. In contrast, he has batted 22 times in the second innings, scoring 867 runs at an outstanding average of 51, with 3 centuries and 4 half-centuries to his name. These statistics set him apart from stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Steve Smith. Kohli’s second innings average stands at 37.97 with 2734 runs, including 5 centuries and 16 half-centuries, while Smith averages 39.22 in the second innings, scoring 2785 runs, with 4 centuries and 19 half-centuries.
