Shubman Gill, who played his debut at MCG in the ongoing second Test, gathered praise from all the cricket boffins for his strokes against the best bowling attack of Australia. He executed his shots with confidence and was not seen nervous while facing the likes of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.
Shubman Gill has been with India’s squad for the past one year but didn’t get the opportunity to bat as team management was favouring Prithvi Shaw over him. But Gill, finally, got the opportunity as the replacement of Shaw, whose technical flaws have been exposed in the recent past.
Shubman Gill ready to bat any position:
Although his natural position is as an opener, Gill may have to make way for Rohit Sharma, who will be available for the third Test at Sydney.
In a video conference after the end of the day’s play, Shubman Gill explained why he had absolutely no issues in batting at whichever position the Indian team management asked him to.
“I don’t have specific plans for myself. Wherever the team wants me to bat, I am happy to bat there. My plans should be able to fit with the team’s plans. I am able to give the team a start as an opener, that is an ideal situation. That was my goal. And I think it was fitting in the team’s goal,” said the youngster.
Facing Bumrah, Shami in nets have given confidence: Gill
Shubman Gill revealed that being with the squad longer has given him the opportunity to face best bowlers Bumrah, Shami and Umesh in nets. He believes this gave him the confidence to face the Australian pace battery without any nervousness.
“Being with the team helped me a lot because I was able to settle in the team. And to be able to bat in the nets against Boom (Bumrah) or (Mohammed) Shami bhai or Umesh (Yadav) bhai, to be playing a top bowling attack in the nets, it is a huge confidence booster for a youngster. So, when I went to bat today, I didn’t really feel like I am in a whole new place. I didn’t feel like it was a different level,” said Shubman Gill.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja partnership helped India to lead by 82 runs.