ENG vs IND: Priyank Panchal explains why Shubman Gill's 269-run knock demands more attention and appreciation

Former Indian batsman Priyank Panchal critically analyzed the batting of captain of the India Test team Shubman Gill. Since he got the captain's armband to lead the team in Whites, Gill evolved into a whole new batter.

Under pressure he scored a hundred in the first test of the 5-match series and a 269-run innings in the ongoing 2nd test match at Edgbaston, Birmingham. As a newly assigned captain, scoring back-to-back mammoth runs is not something cricket fans saw every other day. Straight from T20 cricket to Test in England, Panchal is amazed to see the way Gill transformed himself within a short time. The right-handed batter was engaged with Gujarat Titans, playing IPL 2025; after that, he was appointed as the skipper of Team India.

"What I found particularly insightful was his reflection on transitioning from T20 to Tests, something that’s extremely hard, even for top-level players. The instinct to go after the ball has to be curbed, and that mental switch takes deliberate work. Gill started his test prep during the IPL, which shows his clarity of thought and intent," Priyank said in his LinkedIn post.

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From a technical angle, Gill's playing style impressed the former cricketer. The way he balanced himself under new conditions and switched gears according to the need of the moment brought pure joy for Panchal. 

The innings is worth a case study 

"From a technical lens, his focus on the initial movement and setup stands out. The base of any long innings is balance. When Shubman spoke about not over-focusing and just enjoying his batting again, that hit home for many of us. Because cricket, especially Test cricket, is about trusting your muscle memory while sharpening your concentration."

Panchal wrote that Shubman's 269-knock is worth a case study in preparation, adaptation, and mindset. The India captain played the 269-run innings after facing 387 deliveries. Throughout the innings he played multiple eye-shooting strokes; 30 boundaries and 3 massive sixes came from his blade.