Shubman Gill broke the shackles, did the hard work against the new ball to score 92 runs, and set a platform at Wankhede Stadium. Gill who missed out on India’s World Cup 2023 opening clash against Australia last month revealed that he is still not at full fitness and is down four kgs in mass and muscle weight.
“I am the kind of person who doesn’t get nervous. I look to tackle it my own way at the start. Not full fitness. I am four kilos down from dengue in terms of mass and muscle weight,” Gill told the broadcasters after India’s massive 302-run win over Sri Lanka to book their berth in the semifinals.
After the wicket of skipper Rohit Sharma on the second ball of the innings, Gill shared an 189-run partnership for the second wicket against Virat Kohli. Gill revealed the conditions early on in the innings and the need to attack after getting settled.
“Honestly the discussion was to play in a compact manner. The odd ball was seaming. Hit the balls in our areas. You couldn’t get into a shell. Looked to put the pressure on the bowlers. I felt in the previous matches I got starts expect the last one,” the opener said.
Gill felt that he was due for a big one but does not regret getting out for 92. He also lauded Shreyas Iyer for his explosive knock as he felt that it was not a wicket where posting a big score was easy.
“Sometimes you play a good shot and it goes to the fielder. We thought about rotating the strike today. I honestly don’t think it was a 400 wicket. We batted well to get 350. Shreyas was the key today. He batted superbly,” the 24-year-old said.
Gill was all praises for Siraj who was in the presence when he was talking to the broadcasters.
“The way they were bowling we were anticipating wickets. Siraj is always fired up. They were sensational. Has made job easier for us,” he said.
Gill also revealed that Mohammed Shami’s celebration after taking a record-breaking fifer was dedicated to bowling coach Paras Mhambrey and not Harbhajan Singh like many had felt.
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