Chasing a modest target of 249 in 50 overs, India was in a spot of bother, having lost early wickets at 19/2, in the sixth over. This is when all Shubman Gill thought when playing was to be positive and make no mistakes, applying no risk and not becoming defensive also. Thus Gill, who later earned the Player of the Match award, scored 87 runs, added two crucial partnerships with Shreyas Iyer (59) and Axar Patel (52), and led India to a four-wicket victory against England in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium on Thursday.
Virat Kohli could not play because of a sore right knee, so at that point, losing Yashasvi Jaiswal (15) and Rohit Sharma (2) cheaply could be disastrous. But Gill batted very well and guided India through the crisis, being helped by an aggressive innings by Iyer.
Gill said while India was down to 19/2, that both his thoughts and advice from the support staff were that he should remain positive.
“A little help for fast bowlers. Idea was not to go too much on the back foot (on this wicket against pace) and play those good cricketing shots. When a guy (Iyer) comes and starts playing shots, it’s good for me too; the opposition has to be back on their heels. Iyer did well in that respect,” said Gill in the post-match presentation.
Gill said that it was slightly tricky to bat as the wicket became sticky and changed a bit in the second innings.
“I think this was a little bit double-paced. Spinners varied very well their pace, when they bowled slow, it was turning. Looked to square of the wicket and not try to hit down the ground,” said Gill.
As far as his duties as the new vice-captain are concerned, he said not much has changed in the batting department for him.
“There hasn’t changed much for me; as far as my batting is concerned, I would want to know what the thinking is and what Rohit bhai thinks, and I will give my input. He tells me, ‘If you want to tell me anything during the match, do not hesitate,’ said Gill.
Gill would hope he will be able to now carry that form into the next two ODIs against England and head into the ICC tournament with some bountiful runs behind him with the Champions Trophy in Dubai appearance just around the corner.
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