Shubman Gill’s run chase at Edgbaston showed why India already have an ODI heir apparent in Virat Kohli

Indian captain Shubman Gill bats during the 1st ODI against England at the Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham on Tuesday. (NOT a photo) TimesofIndia.com in Cardiff: Shubman Gill revealed that a spasm forced him to retire during the first ODI between India and England in Birmingham on Tuesday. Indian skipper Gill scored an unbeaten 80 and played a key role with his deputy Shreyas Iyer before exiting the field cautiously. His departure from midfield, followed by quick wickets from Iyer and KL Rahul, unnerved the visitors, but Washington Sundar and Axar Patel ensured their captain’s hard work was not in vain as India sealed a six-wicket win at Edgbaston. Speaking to BBC Test Match Special, Gill said he expected to be fit for Thursday’s second ODI at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. His demeanor on the way out of Birmingham and again on the eve of the second ODI in Wales, where the weather has been warm for the last week, suggested he is fit and keen to take part in this crucial series.In the opening ODI of the three-match series, with India chasing 259, Gill and Iyer put together a crucial partnership of 101 runs all but took the game away from the hosts. But before India lost Rohit Sharma (11) and Virat Kohli (5) cheaply, England seemed to have the upper hand. Two of India’s veteran batsmen were back in the pavilion and the scoreboard read 48 for 2 in 8.3 overs.

Shubman Gill scored a wild 80 in the first ODI against England.

With Gill joined in the middle by Shreyas Iyer, who had a disappointing start to his tenure as T20I captain in Ireland and England, the challenge was to absorb the pressure rather than worry about the required run-rate, which was still less than a run-a-ball.During his 75-ball 80, which included 11 fours and a six, Gill spent 120 minutes at the crease. Instead of driving on during the power play, the 26-year-old opted to absorb the pressure from pacers Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue. On a surface that offered relief to the seamen, both Gill and Rohit Sharma, the other opener, opted to wait. The very first innings showed that the pitch helps bowlers with pace, variable bounce and lateral movement.While Rohit remained the more circumspect of the two, Gill honed his innings and chases to perfection. After starting his innings with back-to-back boundaries, Gill remained largely quiet for the next 13 deliveries, scoring just four runs during that time. As England continued to build momentum, including Sam Curran, Gill was content to struggle with singles and dots.

Indian captain Shubman Gill celebrates his half-century during the 1st ODI against England at the Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham on Tuesday. (NOT a photo)

When the strategy changed, Gill took on Adil Rashid, Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks. Liam Dawson was also brought into the attack. In the 21st over, there was a sweep towards backward square leg. In the next over, Gill played an untouched loft inside out over extra cover for another boundary.More fittingly, and showing the extent of his repertoire, seconds after a physio treated him for cramps, he played a sweep off Jacks over square leg for another boundary. Although the problem persisted, Gill’s pace in the pursuit did not drop. Instead, he continued to collect singles and doubles by pushing the ball long on and long off.What sets Gill apart as a master of the chase isn’t just his ability to attack when needed and turn a punch when necessary. It is his ability to score without delay, without constantly flying out of the air and using the off-side field intelligently.

Indian captain Shubman Gill bats during the 1st ODI against England at the Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham on Tuesday. (NOT a photo)

Of Gill’s 11 boundaries, five were on the off side and six on the leg side. His only six, off Josh Tongue, sailed over the deep backward square boundary. The cut shot was his most productive stroke, hitting 16 runs, including two boundaries.With Gill’s availability for the second ODI yet to be categorically confirmed, it is hard to find anyone who has mastered the art of chasing as smoothly from Virat Kohli as Gill.Gill’s knock at Edgbaston was a reminder that the best ODI chases are rarely built on relentless aggression. Instead, they demand clarity of thought, adaptability and trust in the process. On a pitch where survival was more important than rapid scoring, Gill judged the conditions better than anyone. He attacked only when the game allowed him to and ensured that India never lost sight of the target.The convulsions may have denied him the end he deserved, but the job was done. It was another innings that reinforced why, at just 26, Gill is fast becoming the standard-bearer for India’s next generation of ODI batsmen.