Gujarat Titans (GT) opener Shubman Gill is yet to get out of quarantine but he is buzzing to meet his teammates ahead of their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) season. In a chat with Sports Today, Gill revealed that he doesn’t know who will be his opening partner yet ahead of Titans' clash against KL Rahul-led Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on March 28.
“Not really, once I am out of the quarantine, Ashu (Ashish Nehra) bhai would have a chat with me and he would ask about my opinion. Because I am still in quarantine, they are also waiting to have one-on-one conversation about who is going to be my opening partner,” the former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) opener said.
Gill was not retained by KKR and then Titans named him as one of three picks before the IPL 2022 mega auction. When asked about pros and cons of joining a new franchise, Gill said there aren’t any and lauded the support staff.
“I don’t feel there is anything bad about going into the new franchise. I feel change is the only constant. If you are not changing, you are not growing. There are no downsides when you go into the team. If you see the support staff, there is Gary Kirsten who won us the World Cup in 2011, there is Ashu bhai (Nehra) who was part of that squad and an experienced player when it comes to IPL and country. I am really excited. Hopefully, we will have a great run this year,” the 22-year-old explained.
After the mega auction, many criticised Titans’ think tank as the middle-order did not look strong. Gill thinks otherwise as he believes there is enough depth and diversity in their “well balanced” batting order.
“I don't really see it that way. We have lot of serious contenders who can bat for us in the middle order. We have David Miller who has done well. He has been doing well for his country right now and we have Matthew Wade who can open the innings and bat in the middle order. We have Hardik and then Rashid in the lower-middle order. I don't think our middle order will be a concern. I think we have got pretty diverse options in terms of how our team was made. We have all-rounders, Indian batters, fast bowlers. Our team is very well balanced,” the former Under-19 World Cup-winner opined.
This season will also mark Hardik’s IPL captaincy debut. Gill feels that the Baroda all-rounder will give the team freedom to “express themselves”. Gill is often criticised for his strike rate. The Punjab-born batter who has a strike rate of 123 in IPL trusts in himself to deliver according to the situation.
“For me as a player it is very important to play any kind of role that is given to me because that is the challenge as a batsman you want to be put in. I believe in myself. No matter what the target, if we are given a situation where we need 10 runs per over or close to 200, I feel I am very confident in doing that. Also, I am comfortable chasing 130 on a tough wicket where I will have to soak in the pressure. It doesn't really matter to me what people say about me,” the stylish opener said.
Gill is excited to play alongside Afghanistan’s star leg-spinner Rashid. He said that, “Obviously, Rashid is one of those bowlers that all the captains and batsmen want on their side”.
While Gill will be marking his return in competitive cricket, he has been out of the Test action at times due to injuries. While India have plenty openers, Gill is willing to bat in the middle order if he needs to.
“I missed some big series including the one in England and South Africa. As a player, you don't want to miss out any series when you have the chance to play all of them. I am open to bat at any position that my team wants me to bat at. If in the Test team, they ask me to in the middle order, I will do it.
