Team India, under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, managed to draw the Test series against England 2-2, a feat achieved without the presence of key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. This performance has garnered praise for Gill’s leadership. Sachin Tendulkar, a legendary figure in Indian cricket, offered his insights into Gill’s captaincy and batting, highlighting the strategies employed to counter England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach. The series was named the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, a tribute to the cricketing legends.
Tendulkar highlighted Gill’s impressive captaincy in the Test series. In a video shared on Reddit, he pointed out Gill’s outstanding batting performance, which saw him score 754 runs against England, setting a new record. Tendulkar noted Gill’s consistent approach and his ability to respect good deliveries. Tendulkar commented on Gill’s composed demeanor throughout the series.
Gill scored the most runs in the series, with 754 runs. While he couldn’t surpass Sunil Gavaskar’s record of 774 runs, he did break the record of 732 runs for a captain. Gill is now second only to Sir Don Bradman (810) in the list of captains with the most runs in a bilateral Test series. He also scored four centuries in 10 innings of the series.
Tendulkar acknowledged the importance of strategic clarity for effective batting. He observed a consistency in Shubman Gill’s approach, which was evident in his footwork. He emphasized that the drawn series against England was a significant achievement for the Indian team. Tendulkar remarked that the effectiveness of a captain heavily depends on the bowlers’ performance, their discipline, and the implementation of their plans.
Tendulkar pointed out that when bowlers face difficulties, they often resort to experimentation. In such cases, the captain must assess the fielding arrangements, as runs can be scored from various areas. Tendulkar praised Gill’s ability to counter Bazball, preventing England from achieving victory at home. Tendulkar also noted the Indian bowlers’ specific strategies, which restricted England’s ability to score runs rapidly.
Additionally, Tendulkar commended Mohammed Siraj’s exceptional bowling performance in the series. He praised Siraj’s consistent enthusiasm, regardless of the number of wickets taken. Siraj took 23 wickets, the highest in the Test series against England.