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Be it Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, or Yashasvi Jaiswal — India’s recent centurions have one crucial technical trait in common: their excellent use of the front foot. It’s a fundamental requirement for success against swing bowling, especially in English conditions.
And when the pitch is flat, there’s no looking back for players who thrive on front-foot play. They are bound to succeed — as this new generation of Indian batters is proving with style and substance.
According to Devendra Sharma, Pant’s childhood coach, committing forward isn’t exactly the key. The batter should look to play on the front foot to survive and thrive. “Using the front-foot is essential if you want to succeed in England,” Sharma said. “If you stay rooted to the back foot — something you might get away with in Australia or South Africa — it’s a death knell in England.”
As India’s young batters continue to evolve, it’s this front-foot assertiveness that’s helping them take the fight to the bowlers on flat English wickets. Citing a recent example, Sharma added: “Look at the way Karun Nair got out. If he had played that delivery on the front foot, he wouldn’t have been dismissed.”
Sharma then lauded Gill for the way he has evolved during the series. “Gill is looking better with every game. Earlier, he used to stay on the back foot more often than not. But he has clearly worked on his batting, and it shows. He now looks technically assured and composed. He wants to come on the front-foot. He has all the time in the world to play Test cricket,” Sharma added.
As India’s young batting core matures, it’s this front-foot assertiveness — backed by hours in the nets and technical refinement — that’s making the difference in England.
