Young Indian opener Shubman Gill is glad to have got full backing from skipper Rohit Sharma and the team management, which allowed him to play “natural game” in the opening ODI against Sri Lanka on Tuesday (January 10).
On the eve of the series opener, India captain Rohit made it clear that Shubman Gill will get a long run even though Ishan Kishan had slammed a double century in his last ODI appearance against Bangladesh.
Gill certainly didn’t let his captain down as he returned with the score of 60-ball 70 in the first ODI in Guwahati.
“It feels good when your captain backs you. This was the conversation we had in the practice sessions that I would look to play my natural game whatever I’m doing in the one-dayers. Just look to continue the momentum,” Gill said at the post-match media interaction.
In 2022, Shubman Gill batted in 12 ODI innings, scoring 638 runs at an average of 70.88 and a strike rate of 102.57. He was also the Player of the Series on the tour of West Indies and Zimbabwe.
The classy right-hander began 2023 with yet another half-century and in the process, he added 143 runs for the opening wicket with Rohit Sharma to lead the foundation of India’s mammoth 373/7 in 50 overs.
Sharing his experience of batting with Rohit at the top of the order, Gill said: “We batted mainly in the Tests. It’s nice to bat with him. the conversation generally which bowler to target, what are they trying to do, where are they trying to block our runs. Accordingly, we make our plans.”
Shubman, however, missed out on a century after being trapped LBW by Dasun Shanaka in the 20th over.
“Definitely, I was very disappointed to get out on 70. I did all the hard work to get going and get a big one for the team. I got out in the 20th over, I had about 30 overs to bat.”
Defending the total, India had reduced Sri Lanka to 179/7 inside 33 overs but the visitors eventually finished with 306/8 on the back of skipper Dasun Shanaka’s 108 not out from 88 balls.
Blaming it on the heavy dew, Gill said: “I don’t think bowling is a concern, we bowled pretty well. We got them eight down on that wicket and there was dew as well. It was not easy bowl when you are bowling second with that much dew.”
“It’s not easy to control the wet ball. Sometimes the spinners can go out of the game but that did not happen in this match.
“Both Yuzi (Yuzvendra Chahal) bhai and Axar (Patel) bhai bowled really well. It’s a challenge to field as well, sometimes the ball skids off the field and it’s hard to catch the ball because it’s wet. It’s like playing with butter in your hands. it’s not easy to bowl when there’s dew.”
Umran Malik returned with three wickets for India and once again impressed everyone with his raw pace.
Praising the fast bowler, Gill said: “It’s always fun and challenging to face Umran at the nets. I’m someone who likes to face pace, so there’s always a bit of challenge facing Umran at the nets.”
(With PTI Inputs)
