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If there was any doubt over the identity of Rohit Sharma’s partner at the top of the Indian order for the foreseeable future, the case is surely closed now.
A masterful century from Shubman Gill in his second Test after returning at the expense of KL Rahul not only leaves India with more than half a chance of a stunning comeback against Australia in Ahmedabad – but in reaching three figures for the first time in a Test on home soil, emphatically answered any questions about his ability to score in Indian conditions.
Having excelled in India’s famous series win over Australia in 2020/21, the highlight a match-winning 91 in the crucial fourth innings at the Gabba, Gill’s second career century was the hosts’ bedrock on Day 3 as they reached 3/289 at stumps: still with a hefty deficit, but only a day’s good batting away from sending the visitors in on a deteriorating pitch on the fifth day.
That, of course, will depend on a surface so far utterly toothless breaking up, as well as Virat Kohli, unbeaten on 59, breaking his infamous three-year century drought on the fourth day. Australia will know they are perhaps only one or two wickets away from being able to send India themselves in on a wearing wicket, though they will also need to get through a deep tail featuring Axar Patel at number nine.
It was a day on which Australia copped precisely what they dished out across the first two days in Ahmedabad: with only the occasional ball turning and not a skerrick of movement for the quicks, all the visitors could do at times was keep the run rate down.
Attempting to squeeze Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara throughout their 113-run stand with leg side fields, at times with even a 2-7 setup and spinners instructed to bowl at the pads, it seemed only a batting mistake – like Rohit Sharma’s back-foot punch straight to Marnus Labuschagne at short cover for 35 – could bring about a wicket.
Pujara isn’t one to be frustrated into a mistake, however: the obdurate Indian was more than happy to occupy the crease, tick over the singles, and allow occasional flashes from Gill to punctuate the opening two sessions.
A pair of sumptuous cover drives from the latter off Cameron Green, ending a period of 16 overs without a boundary, were the perfect example as the 23-year old cruised into the 90s.
Bringing up the milestone with a deft lap sweep over short fine off Murphy, Gill celebrated like a man who knows his position is now secure: the off-spinner, however, would fight back in the same over, trapping Pujara in front and seeing India lose a review to boot as the veteran went for an optimistic challenge.
With Kohli at the crease, it was a cramping Gill’s turn to anchor as the former captain began to take off, a slow start exploding to life with a classic cover drive and flick off the pads within three Starc deliveries: the shots of Kohli in his prime.
Just as had befallen Usman Khawaja after his own marathon innings on Day 2, Gill’s end was sudden and surprising: finally missing a leg side flick and trapped in front by Lyon in his first over back – the opener walking back for a superb 128, taking a review with him after a second unsuccessful challenge.
While Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja looked mostly untroubled to start their partnership, runs slowed to a trickle as the Australians tightened the screws. With unerring accuracy, Lyon showed his chutzpah even in the most hostile of conditions: he’d conceded just 64 runs in nearly 32 overs before finally drifting down leg side to gift Kohli a flick for four.
Jadeja seemed content to play for stumps, the usually freewheeling all-rounder reaching 6 off just 42 balls before quickly doubling his tally with a lofted six down the ground off Matt Kuhnemann.
With Kohli reaching his 50 and looking unruffled before stumps, it is set to be a long day in the field for Australia on Sunday without an early breakthrough or two.
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