Shubman Gill Test Career has made a curve ball and two silent phone calls were the key point in that curve. When Gill talked to Sachin Tendulkar and Steve Smith, he found a motto which reduced batting to the barest essence: defend straight, score square. That turn of mind both brought him to a clarity and changed his work in England, making the things being said in his question about his technique what he meant.

It was a surprisingly straightforward thing he heard. Tendulkar and Smith, although of varying ratas in batting, seemed to have practically preached the same word to him “defend straight, score square.” It is the same hint–reiterated by both in somewhat different discussions which, according to Gill, saw him through in England–a journey devoted to trial by heat, which only served to reform his reputation.

Gill had been bearing the burden of anticipation. Talked of having been able to play with poise and calmness in the crease, he still remained someone whose skills could be discovered when the ball passed through too late. Swing and seam in England have ruined many a good player and the opponents of Gill felt that he, too, was likely to be like him. However, before he did so he called Tendulkar, his hero as a child, to have a chat. He also contacted Smith via Australian teammate Matthew Wade seeking a second opinion. It was not complex batting science that he received, but a sharp mantra that kept him in touch with the fundamentals.

And then Gill used it ruthlessly. It was in England that India has frequently felt inclined to fight the demons of lateral transit, on which he determined he would not indulge in over-complicating his game. He believed in the straight bat in defence, was more on balance on the forefoot than on the back, and ransacked the square of the wicket when the bowlers steered awry. These reforms were evasions but of a vital character. The recurrent habit of his being thrown out of play when he was not in an advantageous position, which sometimes troubled his career, had been nearly eliminated. Rather he appeared confident, playing late, compact, and confident.

The numbers told the story. Gill registered an incredible 754 runs in five Tests averaging 75.40. The four centuries of construction came when he was also at the helm of his Indian Test side in the first instance. It was a career-defining moment to be able to provide that sort of a payback moment under pressure, and even working conditions that critics said were going to bury him. It was not only about runs, but it was proving that he could change, develop, lead.

It was even admitted by Gill himself that the bid to Tendulkar and Smith served to sieve the noise. Those talks, according to his words, provided him with clarity. The answer is simply that when he is told this by two batsmen the greatest of the great, representing two other times (we gather), you no longer can think that this was not counsel. You put your hands about with things. You have the faith in process and allow your game to roll. That confidence gave him liberty and with liberty comes run.

The metamorphosis is also addressed by the maturity of Gill. The fact that many young players may fear trying to contact senior figures does not want to look pathetic and fails to admit their blemishes may be a reason why many of these bred media reject social networking efforts. Gill did the opposite. He enquired, he heard and he acted. And that modesty–combined with his great natural gift has become the mark of his ascendancy.

In retrospect, such calls can be viewed one day as a turning point not just to Gill the batsman but also to Gill the leader. A Test captain who has cocked his hat to the fray of the Turks and swings with increased wealth, through his training, comes with a story which vibrates long beyond the score card.

Cricket is dominated by new innovations, data models, new trends of coaching, although the experience of Gill demonstrates that there are the old truths that are sometimes the most useful tools. Defend straight. Score square. Two brief sentences which became a basis of a cardinal series of a fledgling captain.

And possibly, though as yet his career is still unfolding those words may be sung not merely in batting, but in the manner he moulds the future of Indian cricket.

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