India's top-order batter Shubman Gill regained his form as he scored a century in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 clash amidst a batting collapse for Punjab against Karnataka. The century came after a lean patch in Australia where he could not score even 100 runs from three Tests. After the 102-run knock in a losing cause at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, Gill opened up on not being able to score big runs and putting too much pressure on himself which ended up hampering with his concentration.
"Red-ball batting is a concern. Sometimes, I think with the red ball, in the matches that I play, I get very good 25-30 runs," he said as quoted by PTI.
"I think in those moments, sometimes I put too much pressure on myself to be able to score big runs. I think that is not the way that I have grown up playing my game."
Gill said that keeping himself involved in the game gets the best out of him.
"There is a certain zone that I am in, certain intent that I am in and sometimes I think I lose that because I put too much pressure on myself that I have to get a big run now that I am set," the 25-year-old said.
"I think in those crucial moments, I sometimes lose my focus and concentration. I think it keeps you in the game all the time.
"As a person, I like to be involved in the game and what is happening. I think it brings out the best in me as a player when I am constantly involved in the game."
Gill wants to be in the zone
Gill missed the Perth Test due to thumb injury and was rested for MCG Test. He could not get a single half-century in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. His only fifty on the tour came in a pink-ball practice game. After the 102-run knock for Punjab, Gill said that getting runs was important for him.
"I think any innings that we play at any level, it's very important to be able to get runs, get back in form and have that feel. When you are playing well, when you are in that zone, it's important to stay in that zone as long as possible and that's what I was trying to do when I was batting there," said the ODI vice-captain.
Satisfied with century
Gill was satisifed with his approach after bagging a single-digit score in the first innings as Punjab were bowled out for a paltry 55.
"I think this innings was very satisfying for me, the way I played. The first, I think, in 130 balls, I scored 40-odd runs, and they were bowling well and there was some help in the wicket as well. So, keeping that in mind, I think I was very satisfied with the way that I was playing," he said.
"After the lunch, I just thought to play a little bit more of my shots. Also, the wickets were falling from one end. So, I wanted to make sure that I am getting some runs as well, playing some shots."
Importance of domestic cricket
Gill also talked about the importance of playing domestic cricket and how it is better than just doing practice.
"I think if there is a chance, we must keep in mind that there is enough of a gap between the match and the next series that you are going to play. So, if there is enough gap, if there is 15-20 days between that, then I think it is very helpful to play the match because the match feels different no matter how much you practice.
"When you go out there playing at any level, there are certain aspects of your game that are challenged when you are playing a match. So, it is helpful," the 25-year-old explained.
Despite Gill's 102, Punjab were bowled out for 213 in the second innings. They lost to Karnataka by an innings and 207 runs as the hosts put a mammoth score of 475 in their first innings.