India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak revealed Shubman Gill made changes to his technique after he had a poor run in the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia. Gill could only manage 93 runs in three Test matches against Australia at an average of 18.60.

However, Gill had a successful run in IPL 2025 while leading Gujarat Titans as he amassed 650 runs in 16 matches. Gill was given the captaincy baton after Rohit Sharma’s retirement and he was able to lead from the front in the first innings.

The flamboyant batter scored a fine knock of 147 runs on his captaincy debut innings and added 209 runs with Rishabh Pant for the fourth wicket.

“After Australia (tour) he has thought (about) certain things which he implemented,” Kotak said in the post-day press conference. 

“Because after (the) Australia (tour) and England series (followed by) Champions Trophy and then we had IPL, I wouldn’t say that I had a lot of time to do things (with Gill). But obviously, he worked on certain things and as soon as I saw him in the nets, I did speak to him that ‘you made certain changes’ and he said yes. A lot of credit to him for analysing what he needs to do and I think he did it really well,” Kotak added.

On the other hand, India’ vice-captain Rishabh Pant scored a fine knock of 134 runs off just 178 balls, which included 12 fours and six maximums. Kotak added Pant always has his own plans and backs them to the hilt.

“Rishabh Pant is someone who makes his own plans. He decides (the way) and (then) he bats. This innings was a little different than you would see him normally but honestly that is all his plans. The way he wanted to approach it and when he wanted to attack, he did (and just) because he plays aggressive (cricket) does not mean he cannot play defensive,” Kotak said.

Along with Gill and Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal also scored a fine knock of 101 runs in his maiden Test innings on English soil.