Shubman Gill shows shades of old, but also exudes plenty of new in Visakhapatnam grind against England

Like Virat Kohli threatening to touch the skies with his gravity-defying leaps. Like Ravindra Jadeja twirling his bat this way and that as if it were a toothpick.

Like Shubman Gill cutely bowing to the audience, helmet in front in his right hand, bat tucked behind him in his left.

The last time Gill did that was on September 24, after reaching three-figures in an ODI against Australia in Indore. The last time he did likewise in a Test was on March 11, also last year and also against the Aussies in Ahmedabad. That celebration was conspicuous by its absence in Visakhapatnam on Sunday afternoon.

There was delight, of course, but the overwhelming emotion Gill entertained after scrambling through for a single that took him to three-figures in the second Test against England was relief. Relief that the monkey was off his back. Relief that he had bought himself time. Relief that, finally, at No. 3 where he has been batting by choice in Tests since July 2023, he had made a meaningful contribution. Relief that his run of poor scores – his highest in the preceding 12 innings was 34 – had finally come to an end.