Ranji Trophy | A dubious decision spells doom for Gill

The ‘C’ ground at the Niranjan Shah Stadium complex offered the unmistakable feel of a routine domestic fixture: an open-air venue, compact dressing rooms, temporary enclosures for selectors and invitees, and a spectator count that barely exceeded the number of personnel on the field.

It was in these modest surroundings that Shubman Gill, India’s fortunes for the stylish right-hander.

On a turning surface tailored for Saurashtra’s spin-heavy attack, Gill lost the toss. When the hosts were bowled out for 172, the handful of spectators — largely families of the Saurashtra players — sensed that conditions would make life uncomfortable for the visiting batters.

Gill, padded up for his customary No. 4 slot, had to wait as Punjab sent in the left-handed Nehal Wadhera at No. 3 to counter the left-arm spin trio. When Wadhera fell to Parth Bhut, Gill strode out, shadow-practising his drives, adjusting to the sunlight and taking a brief look skywards before taking guard.

As he walked in, Maanas — the young son of Saurashtra batter Arpit Vasavada — shouted “first-ball wicket” in anticipation. That delivery was negotiated safely, but the next one from Bhut slid on marginally, stayed low, beat Gill’s forward defensive prod and struck him on the pad. Saurashtra appealed in unison and umpire Vinod Seshan raised the finger.

Gill stood rooted for a moment, visibly surprised. It appeared the ball may have brushed the inside edge before hitting the pad, but with no broadcast coverage, the decision stood. His long walk back to the pavilion followed, marked by restraint rather than protest.

True to his stature, Gill showed no visible reaction. After stumps, he even posed for a photograph with Maanas, the home side’s enthusiastic mascot. Punjab will now hope that in a tight fourth-innings chase, their captain gets another opportunity to let the bat do the talking.