Watch: Shubman Gill's straight-batted six off James Anderson leaves Ben Stokes stunned

It’s not in every other Test series that we see James Anderson being toyed with by batting units, especially the younger ones like India’s, who have dominated the English team throughout the course of the 5-match series. On day 2 of the 5th and final Test at the picturesque Dharamshala, Anderson was literally toyed by the man-in-form Shubman Gill who left the crease after scoring the 4th century of his Test career.

At the start of day 2 as the Indian batters were decreasing the trail, Shubman Gill produced a moment of sheer cricketing brilliance. In the 4th over of 1st session bowled by James Anderson, Gill decided to step out of his crease and smack one over the Englishman’s head. It looked like a pre-anticipated shot and one he knew he was going to carry out.

Watch Shubman Gill’s exquisite six off James Anderson

English breakfast, @bhogleharsha 😄#IDFCFirstBankTestSeries #BazBowled #INDvENG #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/lpGcswxqHj

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) March 8, 2024

Gill’s bat did shake after the ball struck his blade but the stroke was clean enough to give him all 6 runs. England captain Ben Stokes was literally in awe of that shot and had a reaction that deserves to go viral all over social media. That shot was a highlight of the innings Gill played in the 2nd innings and the partnership he had with Rohit Sharma.

Harsha Bhogle who was present in the commentary box at that time said, “Oh wow. Shubman Gill wanted that for Breakfast. Charges Jimmy Anderson, that’s already the 2nd six of this morning.”

After that six, Gill went on to smash another 3 and had 5 sixes to his name, 2 more than what England batters managed throughout their 1st innings. In fact, England’s only 2 sixes had a long gap as well. Opener Zak Crawley struck the first one while middle-order batsman Jonny Bairstow, who is playing his 100th Test match, scored the other 2.

In total until the 85th over, the Indian batters have combined for a total of 12 sixes. Yashasvi Jaiswal smacked 3 on day 1’s closing hours before departing for 57, Rohit Sharma too had 3 sixes, and Shubman Gill scored the most with 5 hits. Number 5 batter Sarfaraz Khan who is playing his 3rd Test match, played a powerful hook shot off Mark Wood’s bouncer for a six.

India scored 376 after the end of 2nd session on day 2

After Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma’s dismissal in the space of just 7 balls following their centuries, Sarfaraz Khan and Devdutt Padikkal have handled things very well in the middle. Rohit was the first depart for 103 off 162 while Gill received his marching orders from Anderson himself for 110 off 150. India were 279 at the time of Gill’s departure but Sarfaraz and Padikkal have stitched together a partnership of 97 runs for the 4th wicket.

The partnership had a mix of Sarfaraz’s aggression after a slow start and Padikkal’s sheer technique with a touch of class. Sarfaraz Khan has already scored his half-century and he went to Tea at 56 off 59 while Padikkal will continue from 44 runs in the 3rd session.

England will need to find some inspiration in their Tea team talk to try and break the partnership between Indian middle-order batters otherwise the hosts will post something beyond 450.