Nasser Hussain, the former England captain, has been vocal about his observations during the ongoing Test series between India and England, particularly regarding Shubman Gill's captaincy and the performance of India's emerging talent, Akash Deep. Hussain's recent comments reflect a shift in perspective, especially after India's dominant victory at Edgbaston.
Initially, Hussain's assessment of Shubman Gill's captaincy was critical, particularly after the Leeds Test. However, following India's commanding performance at Edgbaston, Hussain has revised his opinion, acknowledging Gill's calm and astute leadership. He specifically highlighted Gill's tactical decisions during the Edgbaston Test, such as the timely deployment of off-spinner Washington Sundar, which led to the crucial dismissal of Ben Stokes. Hussain noted that Stokes was beginning to find his rhythm when Gill made the astute move to bring Sundar into the attack. He also praised Gill for making unconventional choices, such as the end from which Akash Deep bowled.
Hussain's praise extends beyond Gill's captaincy to the remarkable performance of Akash Deep. The young pacer's fiery spell in the final innings at Edgbaston, where he dismantled England's top order, has drawn high praise from the former England captain. Hussain lauded Akash Deep's skill and relentless accuracy, emphasizing that his success wasn't solely due to favorable pitch conditions. Akash Deep's ability to consistently challenge the batsmen has impressed Hussain, who described him as a "wonderful bowler".
Akash Deep's performance in the Edgbaston Test has been pivotal, taking key wickets of Ollie Pope and Harry Brook in the morning session of Day 5. His figures of 4/58 in the second innings, coupled with 4/88 in the first, put him on the verge of a maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Several figures in the cricket world have lauded Akash Deep's efforts, including Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, and Virender Sehwag. Kohli praised Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj for their bowling performances on a pitch that didn't offer much assistance. Sehwag also acknowledged Akash Deep's outstanding effort in both innings.
The context of Hussain's initial reservations about Gill is important. Gill was handed the Test captaincy amidst pressure and scrutiny, with his previous Test record in England being less than impressive. However, Gill has seemingly put those doubts to rest with his recent performances, including a century in the series opener at Leeds and a double century at Edgbaston. Hussain himself has acknowledged Gill's impressive batting, noting that he hasn't seen him score "ugly runs". Gill's ability to hold the innings together and form crucial partnerships with Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar has also been commendable.
The comparison to Virat Kohli is interesting, especially considering Kohli's praise for Gill's leadership. While Gill may not replicate Kohli's aggressive and expressive style, he is carving his own niche as a calm, tactically astute leader. The Edgbaston Test showcased Gill's ability to make smart decisions under pressure, earning him accolades from both critics and fans.
In summary, Nasser Hussain's evolving assessment of Shubman Gill reflects the young captain's growth and adaptability. Gill's leadership, combined with the emergence of talents like Akash Deep, has contributed to India's success. While comparisons to Virat Kohli are inevitable, Gill is proving to be a distinct leader with his own strengths and style.
