1st ODI: Gill Focused on Positivity Amidst Early Wickets
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Synopsis
In a thrilling first ODI, Shubman Gill's positive mindset helped India recover from an early collapse at 19/2 to secure a four-wicket victory over England, scoring 87 runs and forming crucial partnerships.
Key Takeaways
- Shubman Gill's strategy focused on positivity despite early wickets.
- Key partnerships with Iyer and Patel guided India's recovery.
- Gill's role as vice-captain remains consistent in batting approach.
- India aims for success in upcoming ODIs and the Champions Trophy.
- Pitch conditions posed challenges during the second innings.
Nagpur, Feb 6 (NationPress) As India found themselves at 19/2 in the sixth over while chasing a modest target of 249 runs in 50 overs, Shubman Gill was solely focused on maintaining a positive mindset, avoiding excessive risks, and steering clear of a defensive approach.
Named Player of the Match, Gill emerged as the top scorer for India with 87 runs and formed vital partnerships with Shreyas Iyer (59) and Axar Patel (52), leading India to a successful four-wicket victory over England in the opening ODI of the three-match series at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium here on Thursday.
India entered the match without the influential Virat Kohli, who was sidelined due to a sore right knee. Losing both Yashasvi Jaiswal (15) and Rohit Sharma (2) cheaply could have spelled disaster. Yet, Gill played with composure, and alongside Iyer's counter-attacking innings, helped steer India back on track.
Reflecting on the situation at 19/2, Gill emphasized the importance of positivity and sensible play, particularly as the pacers were finding assistance from the pitch.
"I was trying to stay positive. The fast bowlers were getting some help. My strategy was to avoid going too far back and to play proper cricketing shots. When a player like Iyer comes in and attacks, it puts pressure on the opposition too. His (Iyer's) good decision-making also supported my innings," Gill stated during the post-match presentation.
He acknowledged that batting became challenging as the pitch turned sticky in the second innings.
"I felt the pitch was a bit double-paced. The spinners were effective in varying their pace; when they bowled slower deliveries, the ball turned. I aimed to play towards the square of the wicket rather than hitting straight down the ground," Gill explained.
When asked about his responsibilities after being elevated to vice-captain, Gill noted that his batting approach remained largely unchanged.
"Not much has altered in my batting, but on the field, I'm keen to understand the strategic thinking and Rohit bhai's insights. He encourages me to share my thoughts during the match without hesitation," Gill mentioned.
With the Champions Trophy in Dubai approaching, Gill aims to maintain his form in the upcoming ODIs against England, hoping to enter the ICC tournament with substantial runs under his belt.
