Former England captain Michael Vaughan showered high praise on Indian skipper Shubman Gill's historic 269-run knock, calling it one of the best innings he has witnessed in England.
Indian captain Shubman Gill’s first double ton in Test cricket has drawn widespread acclaim from experts and former players alike. However, some voices suggested that his innings came on an easy batting surface, as Birmingham offered a flat track.
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Michael Vaughan Shuts Down Flat Pitch Talk
Michael Vaughan addressed those comments while speaking to Cricbuzz. He emphasized the quality of Gill’s knock and compared it to England’s own struggles on the same pitch where they lost three wickets early, while Gill went on to add 150 runs on Day 2.
“When you see someone play so well, the first thing we’ve all been talking about it is that it’s a flat wicket. When England went out to bat, they lost three wickets because they made three mistakes. Shubman Gill did not make a mistake. So, I’m going to give him huge credit for his concentration, his dedication to staying in, and the pure strokeplay,” Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.
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Vaughan Ranks Gill’s Knock Among the Greatest Under Pressure
The former England skipper also added Gill’s innings to his list of all-time great knocks, appreciating the pressure under which it came with India trailing 0-1 in the series and Gill captaining for only the second time.
“I’ve seen many, many great innings and that is up there with those great innings. Because someone who is 0-1 down in the series, captaining his country for only the second time, with pressure mounting and negative talk around the team — to walk out and score that many runs and put your team in such a dominant position, allowing your bowlers to come in and pick three wickets in an hour — that’s why I rate this as a high-value innings,” he added.
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Vaughan Applauds Gill’s Evolved Technique
Vaughan also praised the technical improvements in Gill’s game, particularly against deliveries pitched on a good length and targeting the stumps and pads, an area that had troubled him in the past.
“England tried targeting that LBW line Gill has been vulnerable to, but I think right now, his technique is so solid that he’s saying, ‘Bowl whatever you want, my technique will take care of it.’ This is his time to create a legacy both as a leader and as a batter,” he concluded.
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Meanwhile, England recovered after a shaky start at 84/5 in their first innings, thanks to debutant Jamie Smith, who brought up a century, and Harry Brook, who is moving confidently toward his own. The pair has stitched together an unbeaten 165-run partnership, continuing to frustrate India’s bowlers in Birmingham.
Stay tuned for more updates on the England vs India Day 2 of 2nd Test.
