Rohit Sharma had shuffled a bit towards the off stump but Mark Wood was quick to notice the change in stance on his delivery stride. He pitched it slightly away from the leg stump thinking Rohit would miscue the attempted heave.

But the India captain anticipated the length, adjusted himself by backing away a few steps and walloped it through covers to bring up his century stand with Shubman Gill. All in the blink of an eye which made it look so easy.

If the master was in such excellent touch on the second morning of the final Test, his admirer was not to be left behind. The circumstances also enthused Gill as he demolished James Anderson's aspirations of converting the 'English" conditions to their advantage.

Having targeted an inswinger into Gill's body, the veteran pacer was ready to pitch it up and lure the batter into making a mistake. But Gill charged down, took him on the half volley and disdainfully hoisted him straight down the ground as if he was a spinner.

It prompted an exchange of words but Gill was in no mood to disclose any secret. "I think it would be better for both of us to keep that chat private," he said.

If Yashasvi Jaiswal had bulldozed England's bowlers in the last session on Wednesday, Gill provided those elegant touches which provided the contours for another hefty lead. The new India No. 3 seemed to be rehearsing his instincts for the ensuing IPL against an attack which is eager to pack up and return home.

This new generation of Indian batters - Jaiswal and Gill - along with stagers like Rohit, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul form the new 'Fab Five' of Indian batting.