Shubman Gill wasn’t in full flight in Vadodara. Some even blamed his slow start for Rohit Sharma’s dismissal. The Indian captain covered up to some extent. While a 71-ball 56 isn’t outstanding in a 301-run chase, Gill provided the stability needed in the second innings.
Albeit scratchy, his stay in the middle allowed others to strike fast. It was a knock that Virat Kohli has played uncountable times in his career. Gill had been struggling for runs in T20Is, suffered injuries, and was even dropped for the shortest format. Amid all of this, he was bound to be a little rusty.
That 56-run knock was Gill’s first fifty in 10 months in ODI cricket. That innings gave the Indian captain all the confidence he needed. That’s why in Rajkot, in the India vs New Zealand 2nd ODI, we found a much more confident version of Gill.
Shubman Gill missed out on a big knock
Much like the last game, he started slow. After the 7th over, Gill was 10 (20). But that’s what he wasn’t doing in T20Is. Many felt the 26-year-old wasn’t giving himself enough time to settle in. In fairness, most players don’t waste balls in the shortest format. But 50-over allows a batter to find the middle of the bat and give regard to the bowler and conditions.
In the next 8 overs, Gill smashed 41 runs from 27 balls. Gill had reached his half-century by the end of the 15th over. The ball wasn’t moving anymore. He had done well to keep Kyle Jamieson out and cashed in. Lofted shots over point and fine leg. That trademark short arm jab pulls and sumptuous cover drives.
Gill’s innings had it all. A hundred seemed certain. But much like the first ODI, he threw it away in Rajkot. Jamieson bowled a slightly off-pace, 127 km/h short ball, and Gill found Daryl Mitchell’s hands at mid-wicket. The Indian captain was distraught. The mode of dismissal will really irk him.
But that innings inspires confidence. His rut has ended. New Zealand will have to be wary of Gill in the last ODI in Indore.
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