Shubman Gill's Stellar Century Boosts India's Lead Against Bangladesh

Shubman Gill's unbeaten 119 runs led India to declare at 287/4 in the first Test against Bangladesh. Gill's performance provided significant confidence, showcasing practice against spinners. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin spearheaded Bangladesh's wicket-taking, aiming to secure a strong position for India.

Shubman Gill's remarkable 119-run performance against Bangladesh in the second inning of the first Test left him with a sense of 'satisfaction.' Scoring 119 off 176 balls at a strike rate of 67.61, Gill's century included 10 boundaries and four sixes at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday.

The 25-year-old remained unbeaten as India declared their second inning at 287/4 under skipper Rohit Sharma. Reflecting on his achievement at the post-day press conference, Gill emphasized the confidence gained from scoring against any opposition, revealing he'd focused on this aspect in practice.

'Scoring runs against any opposition provides immense confidence,' Gill stated. When questioned about his preparation against spinners, Gill disclosed he had specific plans, which he successfully executed during the match.

'I practiced before the series, had certain strategies, and just implemented them. It's about having a solid defense and capitalizing on scoring opportunities,' he added. By the end of day three, Bangladesh were 158/4, trailing considerably.

India's Jasprit Bumrah struck early, dismissing Zakir Hasan for 33, while Ravichandran Ashwin claimed three more crucial wickets, putting India in a commanding position. The day's second session saw India at 205/3, with Rishabh Pant (82*) and Gill (86*) at the crease. India now leads by 432 runs.

Pant scored a crucial century, while Gill's unbeaten 119-run knock fortified India's lead. Middle-order batsman KL Rahul contributed 22 valuable runs. India declared at 287/4, setting a challenging 515-run target for Bangladesh, aiming for a series-opening victory. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)