India vs. England: Why Kevin Pietersen Thanked Shubman Gill for His CenturyShubman Gill scored his third Test century, prompting a ‘thank you’ message from Kevin Pietersen. The Ultimate News Desk Updated: February 4, 2024, 02:47 PM IST.Read time: 2 minutes.
India vs. England: Why Kevin Pietersen Thanked Shubman Gill for His Century
Shubman Gill scored his third Test century.© AFP
Shubman Gill, an under-fire Indian batsman, scored his third Test century in the second innings of the first Test against England in Vizag on Day 3. Gill, whose place in the Indian team was under threat due to a string of poor performances, scored in the triple digits, prompting an epic reaction from England great Kevin Pietersen. The former England captain had backed Gill to end his poor run of form, and he was thrilled to see the young Indian star finally do so on Sunday.
Pietersen’s reaction came after he used the example of South African legend Jacques Kallis to ask fans to be patient with Gill.
“Kallis averaged 22 in his first 10 Tests and went on to become arguably the greatest player in the game’s history. Please give @ShubmanGill time to find it. “He’s a serious player!,” Pietersen wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Many fans reacted negatively to Pietersen’s social media post. However, as Gill scored his third Test century, the England great said, “Thank you, Shubman Gill”. Had Gill been dismissed early again, the pressure on Pietersen would have increased.
Gill rode his luck to a triple-digit score. Resuming their second innings at 28 for no loss, India scored 102 runs in the session despite losing Rohit Sharma (12), Yashasvi Jaiswal (17), Shreyas Iyer (29), and Rajat Patidar (9).
Gill survived two close DRS calls in consecutive overs shortly after entering the middle to score his first fifty-plus in 13 innings.
Gill and Shreyas Iyer, both struggling for runs, found themselves in the middle and shared an 81-run stand off 112 deliveries.
The Indian number three was tentative at first, and Anderson’s accuracy made him appear more vulnerable. Gill first survived a close lbw call off Tom Hartley, with the TV umpire overturning the on-field decision after noticing an inside edge that the batter himself was unsure of.
In the next over, an incoming ball from Anderson thudded into Gill’s knee roll, and the umpire’s decision saved Gill.
That seemed to be the stroke of luck Gill needed, as he gained confidence from then on.