India opener Shubman Gill on Friday (September 15) highlighted the importance of winning the Asia Cup 2023 final, saying that it will give the team a lot of momentum ahead of the ODI World Cup beginning next month.
The Men in Blue are due to face Sri Lanka in the final of the continental tournament at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Sunday (September 17).
“Winning the (Asia Cup) final is very important for us because we need to create a winning habit. Peaking at the right time and gaining momentum at the right time is important,” Gill told reporters.
“It is also important to maintain that momentum because losing in one or two matches can add pressure. Winning here will give us a lot of momentum and confidence going into the World Cup,” he added.
Shubman’s comment came after India suffered a narrow 6-run defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in their last Super-4 clash in Colombo on Friday.
Despite the loss, Gill said they have not lost any momentum ahead of the summit clash.
“I don’t think we have lost any momentum. I think we gave away extra 10-15 runs to their (Bangladesh) lower-order batters, but that apart we played some good cricket.
“But these things happen on such kinds of wickets. Hopefully, we can execute these lessons in the final (of Asia Cup) and in the World Cup.”
According to Gill, Sri Lanka have been playing good cricket and India needed to be at their best to beat them in the final.
“I think they (SL) have great momentum with them. The way they won the last match (against Pakistan) was great to see.
“We will have to pull up our socks, and we have to be at our 100 percent to beat them,” he said.
Gill slammed 121 off 133 balls against Bangladesh on a turning track but his valiant century went in vain as India failed to cross the finishing line.
The right-handed opener feels playing on slow-turning pitches in the Asia Cup will stand India in good stead in the upcoming World Cup at home.
“It is a great practice for batsmen and bowlers because these are the kind of pitches that we generally play in India.
“Playing on these wickets against good teams against good oppositions under pressure will definitely help us in the World Cup,” he said.
(With PTI Inputs)
