"Definitely it's one of my better knocks" - Shubman Gill on scoring 90 on Day 2 of IND vs NZ 2024 3rd Test
Team India batter Shubman Gill has rated his gritty knock of 90 against New Zealand on Day 2 of the third Test in Mumbai as one of the best of his career. The right-handed batter revealed that he revisited the work done for the series with England earlier this year and that it helped him.
Gill top-scored with 90 on Day 2 on a surface that provided considerable assistance for spinners. However, the 25-year-old used his feet well to negate the turn, especially with the hosts under pressure significantly due to losing four wickets for 86 while trailing by 149 runs.
Speaking at a post-match press conference, Gill reflected that he was at his best against spin-bowling during the series against England and felt glad to return to the same in Mumbai. He said, as quoted by PTI:
"Yes, definitely it's one of my better knocks that I've played in Test cricket. In the lead up to this Test, it was all about me working on the areas that I've worked before the England series that we played. In that (England) series, I was batting at my best against spinners and just to be able to go back into that mindset and what my positions were while playing spinners, that is what I was trying to replicate before this match in practice."
The youngster went on to explain that he tried to enjoy his game as much as possible instead of taking pressure of the scoreboard. He said:
"I was not trying to put too much pressure on myself (by) thinking I have to score these many runs. I was trying to have fun in the middle and enjoy that moment, even if it was difficult. Because you don't get to play that many Test matches. I just feel when I'm batting there, if I would put too much pressure on myself, then I'm losing out on the fun of the art of batting."
The Punjab-born cricketer added a brisk 96 with Rishabh Pant as the pair came out intending to put pressure on the opposition. Gill's innings ended when Ajaz Patel had him nicking to first slip.
"It's all about one good partnership" - Shubman Gill on India's fourth-innings run-chase
With India set to chase a total above 140 on a tricky surface, Gill reckons a 70-80 run stand will make the opposition a lot more nervous, adding:
"It's all about one good partnership. When you are chasing a total which is around 150-160, if you have one good partnership of 70-80 runs, the match is done and dusted. That is what the conversation will be among the batters, to have one good partnership. For the fielding team, once there is a 70-80 run partnership when you are chasing 150, the body language of the opposition also drops."
A win for India will be a confidence booster ahead of the Australia tour that gets underway on November 22.