Home
India opener Shubman Gill has opened up on the feisty rivalry with Mitchell Starc after they were involved in a head-to-head battle in the Brisbane Test at the start of 2021. India won the historic Test at Gabba by three wickets and went on to clinch the series 2-1. Gill, who made his debut in that series, has now opened up on the challenge thrown by Starc, as the lethal Australian was attacking with his bouncers.
“He and Cummins were bowling short at us and my idea was to attack Starc. If you go back and watch that innings again, you will notice that not once did I pull Cummins. The pull shots were off Starc, keeping in mind the shorter square boundary from that side. I felt that even if I got a top edge, it would clear the fielders and get me boundaries because he was bowling at good pace. The end from which Cummins was bowling had a much bigger boundary, so I told myself to only attempt the pull shot against Starc and leave the short balls from Cummins alone. The idea was to hit every bouncer that Starc sent down, and it paid off for me that day,” Gill was quoted while speaking to GQ India.
Gill, 22, wasn't an integral part of the team prior to the tour, but quickly stamped his authority by scoring 91 in the second innings. Gill, responded by playing every bouncer that Starc bowled at him and went on to be one of the chief architects of the win. He along with Cheteshwar Pujara (56) and Rishabh Pant (unbeaten 89) led India to the monumental win, while the latter was adjudged 'Man of the Match'.
“As a youngster making your debut in Australia, the biggest doubt in your mind is whether you will be able to hand the pace. Pat Cummins and Starc are known for their pace and Josh Hazlewood for his line and length. But when I was able to conquer that doubt and I felt comfortable handling that pace, then it was all about my mindset,” the 22-year-old asserted.
The historic Test match win set the tone for Team India as they went on to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC), where India finished runners-up to New Zealand. Gill, on the flip side, was part of the Indian team throughout 2021 but didn't play any of the three Test matches against South Africa in the recently concluded tour.
The right-handed batter will now focus on the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season; he is one of three players picked by the Ahmedabad franchise. He will not be part of the upcoming auctions, which takes place in Bangalore on February 12 and 13.
