Shubman Gill produced a stellar performance with the bat in India’s second innings of the first Test against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
Gill, who bagged a duck in the first innings, was batting on 33* at stumps on Day 2 and he took the Bangladesh attack to the cleaners on the third day.
India’s No. 3 scored an unbeaten 119 off 176 balls, propelling the hosts to declare at 287/4, which gave them an overall lead of 514 runs.
After the close of play, Shubman Gill reflected on his knock, emphasizing that it was part of his strategy to unsettle the bowlers.
"Initially when I used to practice, especially against spinners, I used to step down trying to rotate. It's the same here because it's hard for bowlers to settle on a wicket like this where the odd one is turning but not all the balls are turning," Gill told reporters in the post-day press meet.
Gill, who smashed 10 boundaries and 4 sixes in his knock, revealed he has been training to use his feet against spinners from a young age.
"It's something that I started practising when I was very young because I was always a tall guy. So, it was easier for me to use my feet and play along the ground. Playing in the air and hitting sixes actually came a bit later when I got a little bit more power in my body," he explained.
"Definitely, scoring runs against any opposition gives you a lot of confidence and that's what I have been working on. So, it (scoring against spinners) gives me a lot of satisfaction. I practiced a lot before the series," Gill added.
This was Gill's fifth century in the longest format and third in his last eight Test innings. The 25-year-old admitted that the home series against England earlier this year, where he amassed close 500 runs with two hundreds, has boosted his confidence in Test cricket.
"I think the series that I had against England gave me a lot of confidence. I felt it was a long time coming for me, especially batting at that position (No. 3). And having got out the way I got out in the first innings (down the leg-side), I was obviously very disappointed."
"But it further motivated me to be able to spend a lot of time on the crease and put extra value on my wicket. I think my best is yet to come," he remarked.
During his knock, Shubman Gill was involved in a 167-run partnership with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who slammed 109 off 128 balls.
This marked Pant's first Test match since his horrific car accident in December 2022, and Gill was delighted for his teammate's remarkable comeback.
"I have spent a lot of time with him on and off the field and watching him score his first 50 and first 100 after his comeback gives me so much pleasure.
"I have seen him work so hard for it when he was coming back from the injury and I think he also must be feeling really good," he said.
Coming to the match, Bangladesh did show some resilience in their second innings to reach 158/4 when play was called off due to bad light. The visitors still need a staggering 357 runs for the result to be in their favour with only six wickets in hand.
(With PTI Inputs)
