A gentle tap on the covers, a well-executed single, and yet another encounter with three figures marked a significant affirmation of his status as the leading One-Day International batsman globally. This is the realm of Shubman Gill.

As he raced towards the safety of the non-striker’s end, the Indian vice-captain raised his arms in celebration, then turned around to remove his helmet. He bowed towards the Indian dugout, bat resting behind him and helmet in front, a beaming smile illuminating his youthful face. This innings, while uncharacteristic, was rich in character, embodying the prudence and common sense that were essential at that moment.

India's recent achievements in limited-overs cricket have been founded on a philosophy of aggression, which resonates with Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir, continuing the legacy established during Rohit’s tenure alongside former head coach Rahul Dravid. However, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday night, mere aggression would not suffice. On a sluggish pitch where the pace diminished as night fell, India needed to adopt a more strategic approach, one that has become somewhat foreign to them—batting with caution, avoiding horizontal bat shots, targeting areas straight down the ground, focusing on the fundamentals that facilitate innings-building, and only committing to aggressive strokes when the ball was undeniably in the hitting zone.

Bangladesh may not currently be regarded as the most formidable limited-overs team, yet when presented with favorable bowling conditions, they can become quite dangerous. In their Champions Trophy match against India, they remarkably recovered from a precarious position of 35 for five to reach 228 runs. However, they were soon overwhelmed by Rohit Sharma's aggressive batting against Mustafizur Rahman, their most skilled and seasoned bowler. Rohit, the most senior active international cricketer since his ODI debut in June 2007, quickly recognized that the optimal time for rapid scoring was at the outset, when the two new balls were at their hardest and only two fielders were permitted outside the 30-yard circle.

All seven of Rohit's boundaries came off Mustafizur, who gradually lost his effectiveness. India was at 69 when Rohit was dismissed for 41 runs off 36 balls, just before the conclusion of the Powerplay. Following this, the batting became more methodical rather than extravagant, particularly as leg-spinner Rishad Hossain found his rhythm.

While Rohit's occasional risky shots drew admiration, Shubman Gill also showcased his talent with several impressive strokes—a short-arm jab through mid-wicket, a splendid drive over cover, and a beautiful on-drive, all against Taskin Ahmed, each racing to the boundary. Gill was content to set his own pace, mindful of the risks associated with the cut shot. However, as the field spread, the ball softened, and Rishad entered a remarkable spell, Gill focused on consolidating his innings without retreating into a defensive mindset.

Virat Kohli struggled to find his rhythm, while Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel were dismissed while attempting to force the play. Despite a strong start, India found themselves in a challenging position at 144 for four, having lost three wickets for just 32 runs during the middle overs. With plenty of batting still to come when KL Rahul joined Gill—alongside Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja waiting in the wings—India required a sense of stability and reassurance to avoid panic.

Gill demonstrated that his position as the No. 1 ODI batter is not merely a result of favorable circumstances. Earlier this month, he followed up two half-centuries with a score of 112 in the final ODI against England. Building on this momentum, he resolved to avoid unnecessary risks, choosing instead to respect both the bowling and the playing conditions without allowing them to restrict his performance. With Rahul as a capable and supportive partner, he methodically approached the target, progressing step by step. Four consecutive dot balls did not provoke a hasty response, and occasional mis-timings did not lead to frustration. Gill maintained complete control over his emotions, which is as vital to scoring runs as mastering one’s stroke play.

Slowest but impactful

Although his unbeaten 101 was the slowest of Gill’s eight ODI centuries—requiring 125 balls to reach three figures—this match was focused on securing two points rather than the run rate. While Rohit’s aggressive approach was essential at the beginning of the chase, Gill’s composure and intelligence became indispensable after the captain's dismissal. The deputy successfully fulfilling the role initiated by the leader carried significant implications beyond merely adding points to the table. A gentle tap into the covers, a straightforward single, and another milestone reached in the form of three figures further solidified his status as the leading One-Day International batter globally. Welcome to the realm of Shubman Gill.

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