‘One of my better knocks in Test’ – Shubman Gill explains mindset during epic knock in Mumbai Test

Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill. (Source:X/Twitter)

Shubman Gill scored a very important half-century on Day 2 of the third Test between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday, November 2. The Punjab batter came into the Test match with questions about his technique against spinners. However, the youngster showed no signs of nervousness as he played a remarkable counter-attacking knock to give India a handy 28-run lead in the first innings on a difficult track for batting.

Shubman stitched a 96-run partnership off 114 balls with Rishabh Pant (60) to give India a great start on Day 2 after they had lost four wickets on the previous day. After Pant’s dismissal, Shubman continued to thwart the Kiwi bowlers with a fine mix of caution and aggression. He was eventually dismissed for a 146-ball 90, belting seven fours and one six during his stay at the crease.

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After the end of play on Day 2, Shubman rated the innings as one of the best he has played in Test cricket. He revealed that attacking the New Zealand spinners was a preempted move from him and Pant during their game-changing partnership. The right-handed batter noted that the Kiwi spinners couldn’t bowl consistently to them because of their counter-attacking approach.

“One of my better knocks in Test. To have a consistent mindset while playing spinners. We were trying to put them under pressure. We were having fun. It is difficult for bowlers to bowl consistently if we keep hitting them,” Shubman Gill said about his batting and partnership with Rishabh Pant after the end of play on Day 2.

I worked on my game before the England series started: Shubman Gill

The Punjab batter had finished as the second-highest run-getter in the five-match Test series between India and England earlier this year. In nine innings, he slammed 452 runs at an average of 56.50. Shubman asserted that he had worked hard on his game before the start of that series. He also revealed that his coach told him to increase the practice he was doing in the past.

“I worked on my game before the England series started. I really didn’t get that much time because of injury. Before the Pune Test, I got net sessions. Conversations with the coach was to have more repetition of the practice I do,” Shubman said.

I’ve been having a great year. I was confident going into this game. When you are playing for the country, you enjoy it,” he further added.

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New Zealand have a 143-run second innings lead at the end of play on Day 2. The last-wicket pair of Ajaz Patel and William O’Rourke will look to add as many runs as they can on Day 3 to make things difficult for the Indian batters in the fourth innings.