“Missed out on big scores in first half,” says Gill
BENGALURU: Following the win over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their IPL match on Sunday, Gujarat Titans (GT) batter Shubman Gill, who smashed his second successive century, said that he missed out on big scores in the first half of the tournament, but is glad to get them now.
The 23-year-old said that showing intent and applying oneself is extremely important for a batter.
Shubman Gill’s unbeaten century (104) trumped Virat Kohli’s classic knock of 101 runs to help GT beat RCB by six wickets at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.
Speaking during the postmatch presentation, Gill said: “I am in good form, it is about getting a start and then converting it into a big one. In the first half of the IPL, I was missing out on those big ones. I was getting a lot of 40s and 50s. Thankfully, it is all working out for me in the business end of the IPL.
“You need to keep playing shots in T20 cricket. You have to keep the intent and keep applying yourself, keep the belief. The new ball was holding a bit, but it got easier to bat on. The ball was getting wet, it was difficult for their spinners to bowl.”
“He (Vijay Shankar) was trying to hit too hard when he came in, I told him to hold his shape and just try to time it. Once he found the momentum, he is someone who can hit the ball a long way. I know my game and it is important for me to be in that area. For any player, it is important to know what kind of player you are and then just keep building on that. It is going to be an exciting one, playing against Chennai in Chennai. We have got a great bowling attack for that wicket in particular and hopefully, we will make it to the final for the second time,” added the batter.
In 14 matches, Gill has scored 680 runs at an average of 56.66 and a strike rate of 152.46. He has scored two centuries and four fifties, with best score of 104 n.o..
This year has been incredible for Gill so far. In two Tests, he has scored 154 runs at an average of 51.33, with a century and best score of 128.
Gill has also been lethal in ODIs. In 9 ODI matches this year, he has scored 624 runs at an average of 78.00. He has scored three centuries and one fifty, with a best score of 208.
In six T20Is this year, he has scored 202 runs at an average of 40.0 with the best score of 126, his first century in T20Is.
In 17 international matches and 18 innings this year, he has 980 runs at an average of 106.40. He has smashed five centuries and a fifty, with a best score of 208.
This young Punjab batter is also the first Indian player to score a century in Tests, ODIs, T20Is and IPL in a single calendar year.
Could Shubman be the successor of Virat Kohli as many fans think? Only time will tell. But till then, one can enjoy this highly satisfying rise of the ‘Prince’ of Indian cricket.