India vs England: Shubman Gill remains a safe bet in ODIs

Every step that the Indian management takes is falling under heavy scrutiny following a horrid Test run this season. It doesn't help matters that most of the batters in the team failed during the Border Gavaskar Trophy. While senior picks like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma largely faced the brunt, the young Shubman Gill also disappointed, as his overseas stats indicated an extended struggle in the format. While the England tour of India, the prelude to the all-important ICC Champions Trophy, presented a much-needed change in format, the ghosts of India's Test run remained. Thus, when Gill was handed the vice-captaincy position in the ODI team for the white-ball series, criticism mounted, highlighted by the fact that Hardik Pandya was ignored in the race. However, the change in format, while largely ignored by the fans and fraternity, is where the decision's redemption lay.

Shubman Gill comes through as a reliable pick with his impressive knock in the first India vs England ODI

The India vs England ODI series is only the second instance of India playing the format following the 2023 ODI World Cup. The intricacies of the squad and the star players in the format thus appeared hazy when preparations started for the season ahead. However, the details came rushing in when the first India vs England ODI kicked off in Nagpur on Thursday. In a rather questionable decision, the English captain, Jos Buttler, opted to bat first against the hosts upon winning the toss. The choice played against the visitors as debutant Harshit Rana and the seasoned spinner Ravindra Jadeja rattled their batting lineup. Gritty half-centuries from Buttler and the young Jacob Bethell took England's total near the 250-run mark before India claimed all 10 wickets at 247 in the 48th over.

The focus then returned to India's batting lineup. Over the last season, Shubman Gill has been toiled in criticism over his lacklustre results in the longer format. However, all this while, his mastery in ODIs, proven time and again, took a backseat. Before the India vs England ODIs took off, Gill boasted an average of 58.20 in the format. Scoring 2,328 runs in 47 innings, the young lad collected six centuries in the 50-over format, including a double century against New Zealand. His showings landed him a leadership role in the white-ball squad for the Sri Lanka tour when Ajit Agarkar took over the role of chief selector and Gautam Gambhir became the head coach. The decision was reiterated ahead of the India vs England series, with the assurance that the designation would extend to the ICC Champions Trophy.

Meanwhile, when Shubman Gill took the field for the first India vs England ODI, he justified the management's decision. A shuffle was forced in the Indian team and batting lineup ahead of the match when Virat Kohli experienced swelling in his knee. Kohli's unavailability paved the way for Shreyas Iyer in the playing XI. Moreover, the void also presented a chance for Yashasvi Jaiswal to earn his ODI debut. However, Jaiswal's inclusion meant that vice-captain Shubman Gill had to take up the third spot in the batting order, unlike his usual opening spot. However, the change in position rarely affected his form, as the 25-year-old anchored the chase to victory.

Yashasvi Jaiswal departed at 15 off 22 in his debut innings, bringing Gill to the crease sooner than anticipated. Moreover, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma carried his struggling form to ODIs as well, falling for just 2 off 7. The onus to carry the batting lineup then fell on Gill, who seamlessly fulfilled the task. Along the way, Gill found a fierce partner in Shreyas Iyer, who enthralled with an impressive 59 off 36.

However, in the absence of a stable partner at the other end, Gill took up the required role of an anchor as he mustered a tenacious 87 off 96. By the time Gill departed, India was almost through the chase. His defining knock deservingly earned praise from all corners. As India won the match by four wickets in just 39 overs, Gill was named Player of the Match. Moreover, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar labeled the youngster "lambi race ka ghoda." An average of 58.80 and the ability to carry the batting order when needed only validate Gill's selection as the vice-captain for the marquee event lying ahead.

“We had a term in the team ‘Lambi race ka ghoda’ for certain players. Meaning someone who will be around for a long time in Indian cricket. That’s what Shubman Gill is," Manjrekar wrote on social media.