Gill Prioritizes Field Placements Over Personal Milestones
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Synopsis
In a recent interview, Shubman Gill emphasized his focus on field placements rather than personal achievements during his innings of 87 runs against England. He also shared insights on adapting to batting positions and the importance of strategies against spin bowlers.
Key Takeaways
- Shubman Gill focused on field placements during his innings.
- Transitioning to number three was manageable for him.
- He highlighted the importance of adapting to game situations.
- Gill discussed the trend of younger batsmen using innovative shots.
- Virat Kohli is expected to return for the next ODI.
New Delhi, Feb 7 (NationPress) After guiding India to a four-wicket victory against England in the opening ODI match with a composed 87 runs, top-order batsman Shubman Gill mentioned that he was not preoccupied with achieving a century, instead concentrating on the field placements arranged for him at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur.
“No, I wasn’t thinking about my century. I was focused on the field placements and played my shots accordingly. I wanted to dominate the bowler, and I would have played the same shot even if I was in my 60s,” Gill stated to Disney+ Hotstar.
He also discussed his transition to batting at number three, having previously played as an opener. “I play at No. 3 in Tests, so it wasn’t a big adjustment. It’s always a challenge at that position because you have to adapt to the game situation. If the team loses quick wickets, you need to play sensibly. If the team starts well, you need to carry the momentum. My approach was simple—play according to the situation.”
Reflecting on his partnership with Shreyas Iyer, who scored 59 runs, Gill noted, “We lost two early wickets, but the plan was to play according to the field and not hold back. After a few overs, the line and lengths became predictable, which helped us score faster.”
When asked about the trend of younger Indian batsmen frequently utilizing the sweep and reverse sweep against spinners, Gill remarked, “It’s an individual choice, not a team strategy. Every batsman has a plan to target specific areas. Many players are practicing sweeps and reverse sweeps in the nets to have more options while batting.”
Gill concluded by assuring fans that Virat Kohli, who was absent from the first ODI due to a knee swelling, will return for the second match in Cuttack on Sunday. “It’s nothing serious. He was fine during yesterday’s practice, but he woke up with some swelling in his knee this morning. He’ll definitely be back for the second ODI.”
