India, Feb. 21 -- In theatre, performers exit the stage by bowing, a sign of gratitude to the audience for watching, listening, and enjoying. It's as humble as one can get. Shubman Gill's signature celebratory bow has a similar feel. It has none of Virat Kohli's mid-air pumping of fists, rather it has a classical tinge -- an artist in front of his audience.

The sobriety of his celebrations aside, Gill has been taking a bow pretty often because he knows all about pacing an ODI innings. The century against Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy on Thursday was the slowest of his 8 hundreds but it was exactly what his team needed.

These days, when his senior partner Rohit Sharma is going hammer-and-tongs at the other end, Gill is happy to sit ...