SHUBMAN GILL: Navigating a ‘Testing’ voyage into England

To borrow an old phrase, the Indian cricket team’s Test tour to England is typical of a British phrase ‘Old Blighty.’ Anyone who has studied a bit of history would be aware what Britain and War meant. This was the famous World War 1 and 2, fought in the mostly conventional method, unlike today, where Israel, at will, hammers Iran.

In cricket’s own theatre called ‘war’ since contests in Test cricket are pure and pristine, India versus England is an old theme. For those who may recall what happened the last time England visited India early in 2024, India were on the ascendant and won the series. Those were on home-made or doctored pitches. Ah, Test cricket in England is so different. And this does not have to do just with the weather and pitch conditions.

For all those who are still nursing an IPL hangover and still struggling to overcome the massive tragedy which unfolded at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where the Royal Challengers Bengaluru celebrations resulted in an outrageous stampede, cricket fans are still in a daze. What happened in Bengaluru on that fateful evening was madness, unplanned, leading to a disaster where passionate fans were killed and injured. The blame game is still on, but innocent human lives will not return.

The world is in going through troubled times. What happened near the Ahmedabad airport on a fateful afternoon five days back when an Air India Dreamliner 787 crashed seconds after takeoff has left the world numb. It showed, when a tragedy happens, no explanation can offer solace. This piece is not about mere gloom but how life can become so cruel for innocents, who were, perhaps, flying to the Gatwick airport on the outskirts of London for a holiday or on business. The incident has shaken and stirred all, including the Indian cricketers, who are preparing for the five-Test series against England, commencing June 20.

Records are loaded in favour of England when they play at home. We, in India, mocked Bazball, when England came in 2024. They failed miserably against Rohit Sharma’s side. But then, today, a new side with Shubman Gill set to make his debut as full-time Test captain leaves the door open for so much uncertainty. For sure, not to have won a Test series in England in two decades is proof of how hard the conditions in England are.

In the absence of first-class cricket recently or something more to fall back upon as records, picking the squad for England has been a bit like a ‘trial balance sheet’ being prepared before the final version gets approved by the auditor, usually a Chartered Accountant firm in India, of repute. The BCCI, in its collective wisdom, has decided, a new team with an accent on youth is the way forward for India. This is after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were made to feel like wastrels.

One is given to understand a lot of thought went into preparing a new side, which also factored exits of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Imagine, if these two legends were told their ‘shelf life’ is over, does it mean the BCCI will give a long rope to Shuman Gill as captain. He is bound to face baptism by fire as captain since he has to lead from the front and score runs. Comparisons have been odious. Gill is not a Kohli or Rohit Sharma. He is talented, and the Punjabi at heart will want to perform in England. But is it so easy, he will need to answer with his bat, where the MRF logo, for which he gets a big amount of money needs justification.

In the past, when the Indian team went to England, reliability was never an issue. The side was loaded with proven stars, who still failed in England. For those who have been vocal about Virat Kohli not being given a fitting farewell, people can look at even how much he had problems in scoring in England. Imagine, if a batter of his calibre had also found it tough, then what happens to a fresh side where predictions can be crazy.

One young man on whose shoulders rest a lot is Yashavsi Jaiswal as opener. Young, charming, and dynamic, even Jaiswal will realise how harder it will be in England where the pitch, cold weather (in comparison to India) and fast bowlers who will exploit the conditions will make it difficult for India. For the Test tour to begin in Headingley, Leeds, is a bit strange, since England have chosen a different area, up North in England. It will be colder and conditions are bound to be hard to adapt. Thought must have gone into this, as England are also keen to make salvage their reputation.

The English template will be simple, focus on how their fast bowlers can wreck the Indian top order, where Jaiswal has a lot to prove. The batter has talent and scored runs in tough conditions. He had also done well in the away tour in the West Indies. But England is different. For those who say this is summer, look at the temperature reading. It will be chilly. How well Jaiswal can click will be important, since the opening partnership becomes critical. Fans have heard enough about Sai Sudharsan, his skills and more players. If these boys can prove themselves in England, it will be great. The start of a new Test cycle is interesting, where even a team like Australia will hit the reset button, as promised by skipper Pat Cummins.