Indian batsman Shubman Gill confessed that he was under a little of pressure coming into the second Test of the current series against England in Visakhapatnam. Gill had been struggling at No.3 and his future in the team was becoming increasingly uncertain.
While Gill was bowled for 34 in the first innings, he made a strong comeback with a century in the second. It was a crucial century, not just for Gill, but also given the situation of the match, allowing India to take the lead.
Shubman Gill spoke with Sports18 after India’s triumph in Visakhapatnam on how he felt after reaching his century:
“I’ll sum it up in one line. My heartbeat playing the first ball and the last ball was the same throughout the innings. That’s how nervous I was feeling even after scoring my hundred (laughs). That was what I was talking to Rahul [Dravid] sir in the morning when England were batting. It was quite weird for me. I have never experienced like this.”
Shubman Gill
Gill said that he was unhappy because he couldn’t convert his starts and added:
“Obviously, not being able to score runs the previous few matches. It wasn’t the outside noise but the expectations that I have for myself… I was disappointed how I got out in the first innings here [in Visakhapatnam] and in the first innings in Hyderabad. So all of that expectations, I was disappointed, maybe that’s the reason.”
Shubman Gill
The game saw a thrilling century by Shubman Gill. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s double century, and nine wickets taken by Jasprit Bumrah. These star performances let India score a win over England by 106 runs. This also balanced out the series.
Shubman Gill reveals his preference for No. 3 position in Test cricket
Many have questioned if No.3 is the best place for Shubman Gill in Test cricket. Some suggest he should bat later in the lineup. Yet, Gill asserts that he’s used to making significant scores in that spot during domestic games.
On this, he said:
“People kept asking me why I went from opening to No. 3. I told them that I have batted at No. 3 in first-class and scored three double-hundreds at No. 3 and No. 4. So it wasn’t something that I have never done in my life. But batting at No. 3 is obviously different in internationals. And I was thankful that I got the experiences and the opportunities and the mistakes that I made… they all led up to this innings [the century].”
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill likely retained his team placement due to his triumphant hundred score. The series’ third Test, involving these two teams, will kick-off in Rajkot on February 15th.