Shubman Gill is set to play a Test match on familiar ground, specifically his IPL home, after making a strong first impression as captain. Gill's journey to this point has been marked by both significant achievements and challenges, particularly in balancing the demands of different cricket formats.
Gill's leadership began impressively with a notable performance in England, where he scored 774 runs in 5 Tests, contributing to a 2-2 series draw. This early success has drawn comparisons to Virat Kohli, who also took on the Test captaincy at a young age and went on to have a significant influence on Indian cricket. Now, Gill is embarking on the second phase of his captaincy, hoping to emulate Kohli's success.
A key challenge for Gill, who is seen as a strong all-format player, is the need to adapt between formats. Fresh off the T20 Asia Cup, Gill recognizes that switching between formats is more a mental challenge than a technical one. He has been focusing on getting into the right mindset in the nets. This involves adjusting from the aggressive batting style required in T20 cricket to the more measured approach needed for Test matches. During pre-match training, Gill concentrated on defensive techniques, facing fast bowling and practicing leaving balls outside off stump. Gill believes that transitioning from the shortest to the longest format is the most difficult. He aims to watch the ball closely and decide when to defend or attack, emphasizing the importance of mental control and patience.
India is set to make a tactical shift in its home series, moving away from the traditionally spin-friendly pitches. The pitch in Ahmedabad is not expected to be a rank turner, unlike the previous home Tests against New Zealand. This decision will influence the selection of the bowling attack. There is a possibility of playing three seamers, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj potentially joined by Nitish Reddy, which would allow Kuldeep Yadav to play as a frontline spinner. The team may also include either Washington Sundar or Axar Patel alongside Ravindra Jadeja to bolster the spin attack. However, if the team isn't confident about Dhruv Jurel's batting ability in the top order, Kuldeep Yadav might miss out to strengthen the batting lineup.
Reflecting on his recent form, Gill acknowledged that he had lost some enjoyment in his batting while chasing runs but has rediscovered his form by going back to basics and making minor technical adjustments. He emphasized the difficulty of switching between formats, especially from T20 to Test cricket, due to the differences in technique, setup, and mindset.
Despite a mixed performance in the Asia Cup, Gill looks to regain the form he demonstrated in England, where he scored 754 runs across five Tests. The team is aiming to capitalize on the home advantage, although they are aware of the challenges posed by spin and reverse swing, which visiting teams must handle to succeed in India. Gill is considered a key player in the batting lineup, bringing both quality and experience. While past home series have presented challenges with low, slow wickets that favor spin, there is a sense that the team is ready to dominate in any situation.
