India, Feb. 21 -- A tap into the covers, a comfortable single, another tryst with three figures, a growing affirmation of his standing as the premier One-Day International batter in the world. Welcome to the world of Shubman Gill.

As he zoomed towards the safety of the crease at the non-striker's end, the Indian vice-captain threw his hands up in the air, then whirled around and took off his helmet. He bowed in the direction of the Indian dugout, the bat behind his back, his helmet in front, a self-satisfied smile lighting up his young face. This was an innings out of character, yet it was so full of character, an essay of prudence and commonsense which was the need of the hour.

India have built their recent limited-overs successes on t...