Manchester, UK – India Test captain Shubman Gill finds himself at the center of attention, and under immense pressure, after a challenging start to the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, which began on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Following a controversial incident at Lord’s and a dip in batting form, the 25-year-old skipper’s performance is being heavily scrutinized as India seeks to level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series.
From Superstar to Scrutiny
Gill’s journey as India’s Test captain began with high praise, as he succeeded Rohit Sharma and responded with two centuries and a double century in the first two Tests against England. However, the third Test at Lord’s marked a turning point. Gill managed scores of just 16 and 6, and more significantly, was embroiled in a heated on-field spat with England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett on Day 3. The altercation stemmed from what Gill later described as England’s “time-wasting tactics,” with players allegedly taking 90 seconds longer than usual to get to the crease, leading to an angry exchange and Gill being caught on stump mic swearing.
This “poor run of form” has unfortunately extended into the first innings of the fourth Test. On Day 1, Gill, who remains the top run-scorer in the series, was dismissed for just 12 runs, trapped leg before wicket by England captain Ben Stokes. His dismissal left India on 140-3.
Experts Weigh In on Gill’s Form and Mentality
The sudden dip in Gill’s performance and his recent on-field behavior have become a major talking point for cricket pundits.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed concern over Gill’s changed approach. “Shubman Gill getting out the way he has… he’s suddenly become tentative since that incident on Day 3,” Manjrekar observed on JioHotstar. “I’ll tell you what, there was an offensive shot he played before. This was a good delivery that came back in, but I’m looking at somebody who scored a ton of runs in the first couple of matches. I don’t want to connect this (dismissal) with the incident that happened on Day 3, but suddenly, Shubman Gill is now not getting the scores. This is a bit of a reality check.”
Manjrekar added, “It’s not an extended stretch of failure, but he’s getting out to defensive shots. I see a bit of tentativeness. Something changed on Day 3. He’s a superstar in India, he goes to England, the world is at his feet, and now the world has suddenly changed.”
Adding to the commentary, former England batter Jonathan Trott suggested that Gill’s actions have shifted public perception. “Suddenly, he has gone from being a batter to being a villain, as he was portrayed in Day 3. Attention went from his batting to how he was leading the side. The reception that he got today is undoubtedly something to do with the way he carried himself,” said Trott, referring to the boos Gill received from the Manchester crowd upon walking out to bat.
Trott concluded, “The first two Tests were about Shubman Gill, the batter, but since then, he’s made a target of himself. You’re A, a good side, and B, have to face hostility. We need to see how long it takes Gill to bounce back from this.”
Day 1 Report and Current Status
On Day 1 at Old Trafford, England won the toss and elected to bowl first under gloomy, seam-friendly conditions. India’s openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal (58) and KL Rahul (46), provided a solid 94-run stand. However, after their dismissals, and then Gill’s early exit for 12, India found themselves needing to rebuild. At stumps on Day 1, India reached 264/4, with Sai Sudharsan scoring a composed 61 and Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur providing crucial resistance in the final hour. A worrying moment for India came when Rishabh Pant was forced to retire hurt after being struck on his right foot, with visible blood leading to his exit from the field in an ambulance. His return to the crease will be crucial for India’s first innings total.
The match continues today, Thursday, July 24, with India aiming to post a commanding total to put pressure on England and ensure a fighting chance to level the series.
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