The Indian team, under the leadership of Shubman Gill, achieved a 2-2 draw in the five-match Test series against England, a remarkable feat considering the absence of key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Sachin Tendulkar, a celebrated figure in Indian cricket, shared his perspective on Gill’s captaincy and batting, focusing on how Gill managed to counter England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ strategy. The series was named the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
In a video, Tendulkar commended Shubman Gill for his captaincy in the Test series. He specifically highlighted Gill’s remarkable achievement of scoring 754 runs against England, establishing a new record. Tendulkar also emphasized Gill’s consistency in his approach and his respect for quality deliveries, along with his composed demeanor throughout the series.
Gill’s 754 runs were the highest in the series. While he couldn’t break Sunil Gavaskar’s record of 774 runs, he did surpass the record of 732 runs for a captain. Gill now holds the second position, after Sir Don Bradman (810), in the list of captains with the most runs in a bilateral Test series. He also scored four centuries in the 10 innings of the series.
Tendulkar underlined the importance of clear thinking and strategic planning for successful batting. He observed that Shubman Gill displayed a consistent approach, which was noticeable in his footwork. Tendulkar acknowledged that the drawn Test series against England was a significant accomplishment for the Indian team. He noted that the role of a captain relies heavily on the bowlers’ performance, their discipline, and their adherence to the game plan.
Tendulkar further noted that if bowlers face challenges, they might resort to experimenting. In such scenarios, the captain must assess the fielding strategy to minimize run-scoring opportunities. Tendulkar was particularly impressed with Gill’s ability to counter Bazball throughout the series, preventing England from securing a victory on their home ground. He also mentioned the effectiveness of the Indian bowlers in implementing specific strategies to restrict England’s scoring rate.
Furthermore, Tendulkar acknowledged the outstanding performance of Mohammed Siraj, the Indian fast bowler. He appreciated Siraj’s consistent enthusiasm, regardless of the number of wickets taken. Mohammed Siraj took 23 wickets, the highest in the Test series against England.