Former Indian Pacer Varun Aaron believes that the reflector is now firmly falling on Captain Shubman Gill because the fifth and the last test between England and India hangs in a balance in the oval. With India focused on setting up the 2-2 series, Aaron supported Gill to play a defining role with BAT on 3rd day.
When he talked to Jiohotstar, Aaron said that Gill would be essential for Indian hopes after being released at only 21 in the first shifts through the stop. The former Pacer expects Captain India to avoid risky singles and in the second shift to proceed with a more measured approach. Given that 743 runs already in the series – the highest dough – Gill’s form and temperament, Aaron believes, could be decisive factors in what became a fought test match.
| Oval test, main day – Scorecard |
“I don’t think Gill will take any risky singles – that’s certain. But I hope he plays just like him in this series. He has already broken more records and could even overcome Sunil Gavascar sum in this series. If he gets a big role tomorrow.
India ended Day 2 with a slim but significant leadership of 52 runs, ending at 75/2. After being tied to the match for 224, the Indian pitch – Especially Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Sirajwho took four goals per piece – brought them directly back to the competition. England at the beginning of the 92-run opening stand was quickly neutralized as it collapsed to just 247.
In the second shifts it was Yashasvi Jaiswal, who again brought India back to the center of attention and hammered a fast 49-fifty-fifty to set the tone. India, however, also lost Kl Rahul and debutant Sai Sudharsan in this process, led to the arrival of Akash night watch deep next to Jaiswal on the stump.
The pressure on the frog will now be huge. Since the oval course is beginning to show variable reflections and conditions over their heads, which are expected to prefer bowling with seams, its shifts could serve as the backbone of Indian pressure on the leading match. Aaron stressed that if Gill could dig deep and produce another big knock, a lead beyond 300 is not out of reach – a scenario that could definitely tilt the test in favor of India.
So far, Indian batting has been inconsistent in this series, with only rare contributions offering resistance. Karun Nair’s Gritty 57 in the first shifts was a lonely standout before the pitchers turned the tide. But now, with a 3 day that has become key, all roads lead to SHUBMAN GILL – Man Aaron believes that he can turn the potential for victory and pressure on Pois.
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Published:
Debodinna Chakracorty
Published on:
August 2, 2025
