Shubman Gill opens up about his crucial partnership with Virat Kohli against Sri Lanka.
Young Indian opener Shubman Gill revealed that he has not yet gained full fitness after his bout with dengue. This came after he smashed a stunning knock of 92 runs against Sri Lanka in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in Mumbai.
There were concerns about Gill’s fitness as the talented batter was struggling to make an impact in the ongoing Cricket World Cup 2023. Before his 92-run knock at Wankhede Stadium, the right-hander could manage only one fifty for the Men in Blue in the tournament.
Shubman Gill told Star Sports at the post-match presentation: “Haven't attained full fitness yet. I am four kilos down from dengue, in terms of muscle mass and weight.”
On being asked about what transpired between him and Virat Kohli (88) during their 189-run partnership for the second wicket against Sri Lanka, Gill said: “Honestly the discussion was to play in a compact manner. The oddball was seaming. Hit the balls in our areas.
You couldn’t get into a shell. Looked to put the pressure on the bowlers. I felt in the previous matches I got starts, except for the last one. Sometimes you play a good shot and it goes to the fielder. We thought about rotating the strike today.
I am the kind of person who doesn't get nervous. I look to tackle it my own way at the start. I honestly don’t think it was a 400 wicket. We batted well to get 350. Shreyas Iyer was the key today.”
Gill signed off by hailing Indian bowlers, “The way they were bowling we were anticipating wickets. Siraj is always fired up. They were sensational. Has made out job easier for us.”
With this win, India also qualified for the semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2023.
(With PTI inputs)