Cold logic had no doubt Shubman Gill was going to score plenty of runs on Bazball pitches against a pace attack whose leader is Chris Woakes and others haven't played more than five Tests. Cold logic was reasonably certain Gill was going to score a hundred in one of the five Tests even if these were not Bazball pitches and there was a more menacing attack to face.

Shubman Gill can never be accused of lacking confidence. Gill, the new India captain, has his nickname “Prince” stamped on his cricket bat and he is going to need that self-assurance when he comes face to face with Ben Stokes over the next six weeks.

The new Indian Test captain has started his innings with a century of the highest order, but he has bigger goals in mind too.