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The five-T20I series against Zimbabwe will be a litmus test for Shubman Gill as an opener in T20Is. Gill yet to excel in the format on international stage barring the century against New Zealand. With captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from the format following T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, the opening spots are there for the taking. Gill who said he can bat anywhere his team wants in Test cricket is rigid about his batting position in T20Is. He wants to open the innings.
"I think Rohit Bhai was an opener and Virat Bhai also opened in this World Cup...I have also opened in T20s. So, I think I will want to open in T20Is," he said during the pre-match press conference in Harare.
Gill knows he has big shoes to fill with the format's two leading run-scorer retiring. However, he does not want to take the burden of expectations and pursue his own goal.
"Pressure and expectations...they I think always remain. But what Virat Bhai and Rohit Bhai have achieved, if I look to achieve that or reach that, it will be very difficult for me.
"Every player has his own goal, where he wants to reach. That is the pressure. If you want to reach where other people have reached, then you have more pressure," he said.
Gill hailed Kohli and Rohit as legends of the game and acknowledged the pressure young generation will have to deal with it.
"Obviously there is pressure. But what they've achieved or what they did for India...they are both idols and legends of Indian cricket. But as players and the team the things we want to achieve, there is definitely pressure about that," the 24-year-old added.
Gill confirms opening partner
Gill also confirmed his state-mate Abhishek Sharma as opening partner. It means that Ruturaj Gaikwad will bat at no.3 in the T20I series.
"Abhishek Sharma will open with me and Ruturaj Gaikwad will bat at No.3," he said.
Gill’s T20I numbers
Gill has played 14 T20Is so far and scored 335 runs at an average of 25.76 including one century and one fifty each. His strike rate is 147.57.
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