Yashasvi Jaiswal has firmly defended Shubman Gill's captaincy, following Gill's impressive century against England. Jaiswal's support comes after India's strong batting performance on Day 1 of the second Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Gill's unbeaten century, along with Jaiswal's aggressive 87, helped India reach a total of 310 for 5 at stumps.
Jaiswal praised Gill's clarity and batting prowess, highlighting the positive environment within the team. He stated, "There's no confusion regarding the squad. He's (Shubman) very clear about what he wants to do. He has been amazing with the bat". Gill, who remained unbeaten on 114 off 216 balls, achieved his second consecutive century in the series, building on his previous score of 147 at Headingley. This feat makes him one of the few Indian captains to record back-to-back hundreds in his first two Tests as captain. His latest century included 12 boundaries and came off 199 deliveries.
The young opening batsman, Jaiswal, also reflected on his own innings, where he set an aggressive tone early on, hitting 13 boundaries in his 87-run knock. He said he aimed to play session by session, seizing opportunities to score runs. He acknowledged the challenging bowling conditions with the new ball and a slightly damp wicket.
Earlier in the series, Jaiswal and Gill had partnered for a 129-run stand, which solidified India's position in the first Test. During that partnership, a video captured an intense conversation between the two batsmen, revealing their determination to find rhythm while running between the wickets. Jaiswal urged Gill to be vocal with his calls, while Gill advised Jaiswal against unnecessary running.
Mohammad Kaif, a former Indian cricketer, has also supported Shubman Gill's captaincy, suggesting he led more effectively than England's Ben Stokes in the first Test. Kaif commended Gill for managing Jasprit Bumrah's bowling spells effectively, despite limited support from other bowlers. He also lauded Gill's first-innings century, recognizing the importance of his runs in English conditions.
Shubman Gill's captaincy began with a pep talk to the team, urging them to secure an early victory. In the first Test at Headingley, Gill, along with Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, scored centuries, contributing to India's impressive total of 471. Gill and Pant forged a game-changing 209-run partnership for the fourth wicket, following a 91-run opening stand between Jaiswal and KL Rahul.