"Nostalgia." The term escaped Shubman Gill's lips even before the initial question could be fully articulated. As he returned to the venue where his elegantly executed 91 significantly contributed to India's remarkable victory at the Gabba in January 2021, Gill seemed to anticipate inquiries about his feelings upon revisiting the ground. It was evident that as soon as he stepped onto the Gabba outfield on Thursday morning, a torrent of memories surged forth.

Gill, alongside his teammates, will be eager for both him and Rishabh Pant, the more renowned figure from that three-wicket triumph achieved without several key players, including captain Virat Kohli and leading bowler Jasprit Bumrah, to recapture their past form and spearhead a batting resurgence that the nation has been longing for over the past two months. In the last five Tests, India has surpassed the 200-run mark in the first innings only once; thus, to make a significant impact in the upcoming third Test in Brisbane starting Saturday, it is crucial for the underperforming batsmen to ignite their skills and for the esteemed batting lineup to live up to its established reputation and legacy.

Having missed the victory in Perth due to a minor fracture in his left thumb, Gill appeared comfortable during the pink-ball defeat in Adelaide, where he batted for extended periods and navigated the challenging phases effectively. He admitted on Friday afternoon that the rapid loss of three wickets and a prolonged period without facing the ball affected him during the first innings, and in the second innings, under the lights, he struggled to read the ball from Mitchell Starc’s left hand. A crucial aspect of improvement lies in recognizing and addressing one’s mistakes, and Gill has taken a significant initial step in this process. There is no indication that, upon returning to red-ball cricket, he will be unable to meet the more urgent requirement of further development.

Gill has been absent from two of India’s last five Tests—he also missed the 46 all-out collapse against New Zealand in Bengaluru due to a stiff neck—but he has not appeared out of form, scoring an impressive 90 in Mumbai against the Kiwis and reaching at least 23 runs five times in six innings. He will likely feel that a substantial score is imminent, given the effort he has invested in practice sessions—on Friday, he maximized his time with bowling coach Morne Morkel—over the past four days.

The middle order relies significantly on Pant's contributions.

Pant, like Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, participated in the optional nets at the Gabba on Friday afternoon, challenging former South African fast bowler Morkel to demonstrate his skills. Since his last appearance in Brisbane, where he scored an impressive unbeaten 89 that played a crucial role in securing India's three-wicket victory, Pant's life has experienced significant changes. Although his recent scores of 37, 21, and 21 in totals of 150, 180, and 175 respectively may not be considered robust, they should not be dismissed, especially given that he only faced a challenging situation in the second innings in Perth when a solid foundation had already been laid.

Since his remarkable return to Test cricket in September, Pant has consistently been India's top performer, marking the occasion with a fairytale century in the second innings against Bangladesh in Chennai. In his last 12 innings, he has recorded three scores exceeding fifty, including impressive half-centuries on a turning pitch in Mumbai. He played a pivotal role in India's chase of 147 in the second innings, scoring a commendable 64 before an inexplicable decision by the TV umpire curtailed the innings. On the first day in Perth, while wickets fell around him, he remained largely untroubled during his 78-ball stay at the crease. In Adelaide, despite the team's unfamiliarity with the pink ball making it difficult for batters to see the ball, he managed to bat for an hour in both innings.

At position five, Pant has the chance to set the pace, which he will aim to do, aware that there is at least one specialist batsman and two all-rounders following him in the batting order. While he has accepted increased responsibility and significantly improved his defensive skills, Pant is most formidable when he adopts an aggressive approach while remaining mindful of the statistical probabilities. His impressive record of six centuries and seven additional scores in the 90s across 70 Test innings is no mere coincidence, and his strike rate of 74.73 combined with an average of 42.76 demonstrates his proficiency in confronting the bowling attack on his terms. A prime illustration of this was his performance at the Gabba four years ago; he paced himself during the initial phase of his match-winning innings and transitioned to a more aggressive style effortlessly and without taking undue risks.

Gill and/or Pant channelling the spirit of Gabba 2021. Now, what a mouth-watering prospect that is.

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