The Indian top-order faced a tough test against Pakistan’s pace attack, stumbling to 66/4 in their initial match of the continental tournament in Pallekele. Nevertheless, the Indian team staged a recovery and ultimately managed to accumulate 266 runs, with all 10 wickets in their innings falling to the pace bowlers.
During a pre-match press conference, Shubman Gill expressed the impact of Pakistan’s potent bowling unit on players who aren’t accustomed to facing it. “At this level, you have faced left-arm pacers at some point in your career,” Gill stated. “We don’t play Pakistan as frequently as we do other teams. They possess a high-quality bowling attack. When you aren’t accustomed to facing such a formidable bowling attack on a regular basis, it does make a difference,” he added.
In the match against Pakistan, Shubman Gill adopted a more defensive approach, taking 10 balls to open his account. Ultimately, he contributed 10 runs from 32 deliveries before being bowled through the bat and pad gap by the fiery pacer, Haris Rauf.
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Gill highlighted the distinct styles of himself and his opening partner, Rohit Sharma, underscoring how their differences could pose a challenge for bowlers. “I tend to keep the ball along the ground during the powerplay, while Rohit takes on bowlers aerially. Our partnership is effective because of these differences. Our unique playing styles make it difficult for bowlers to contain us,” Gill explained.
Shubman Gill also addressed a recent dip in form following the IPL 2023, emphasizing that performance fluctuations are not always tied to technique but also hinge on the quality of the opposition bowlers.
“During a slump, you revisit your successful moments. Sometimes, it’s not solely about technique. Bowlers are also there to take wickets. You might face some exceptional deliveries. When you’re playing well, things tend to work in your favor. You simply need to have faith in your game and keep scoring big.”