India batsman Shubman Gill said it was one of his toughest knocks, talking about the fighting knock of 90 on a treacherous pitch in the third Test against New Zealand, and he was just trying to have fun in the middle.
Coming in with the team at 25/1 and watching his teammates lose three wickets within 10 minutes from the other end on Friday, Gill played a composed and patient innings, capitalizing on the one reprieve that he got early on Saturday morning, to compile a 146-ball 90.
He and Rishabh Pant took on the New Zealand bowling with some aggressive batting in the morning as they raised 86 runs in quick time, which helped India post 263 runs in their first innings and take a small lead.
Ravindra Jadeja and R. Ashwin went two in two to bowl out New Zealand for 171. India can now make things easy on Sunday in search of a win when batting second with a margin deficit of 143 runs to their favor.
It was Gill's knock and his partnership with Pant, on a minefield of a pitch that was offering turn and variable bounce from both ends, that has put India in a position from where they can go for victory on Sunday.
As of five centuries in 29 games so far, Gill described his innings on Saturday as good as the 91 he scored against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane in only his third Test in 2021.
"Yes, definitely it's one of the better knocks that I've played in Test cricket. In lead up to this Test, it was all about me working on the areas that I've worked before the England series that we played," said Gill in the press conference towards the end of day two.
"I was batting at my best against spinners and just to be able to go back into that mindset and what my positions were while playing spinners, that is what I was trying to replicate before this match during practice," said Gill.
When asked if the free-flowing batting on day one by him and Pant, Gill said that he wanted to enjoy it.
"I was actually trying to have a good time. I am enjoying batting, if I can try to think of it as just going out there and having another chance to bat for the maximum amount that I can, that is what I was thinking," he said.
I wasn't trying to put pressure on myself by thinking I have to score these many runs. I was trying to enjoy my moment even if it is a bit difficult.
"Because you don't get to play that many Test matches. I just feel when I'm batting there if I would put too much pressure on myself, then I'm losing out on the fun of the art of batting," said Gill.
Speaking on his conversations with Pant in the middle as they constructed the Indian innings, Gill said, "We just wanted to put the bowlers under pressure so that they don't bowl in good areas".
"We were just having fun in the middle, and it was all about trying to put them under pressure because then it is difficult for the bowlers to be able to bowl in that area consistently. We have seen if the bowlers don't bowl in areas where it is difficult to defend consistently, then it is hard for the bowlers to be able to contain runs," said Gill.
The batter from Chandigarh was quick to admit that it was a panicky team where the three wickets fell in 10 minutes on Friday evening.
"Yes, definitely there was a bit of panic yesterday. But this is what Test cricket is all about. There are moments where you think everything is rattled and then there are moments like (when) we came this morning and we had a great first hour, hour-and-a-half," he said.
Not much batting time for me as well, injured in the first Test, and therefore repetition of things in the nets was what most of the conversations with Gautam bhai were about," he said.
"I worked on my game against spin before the England series when it started in February. See, I didn't really get that much time because I was injured in the first Test. Even leading up to these Tests, I didn't really practice that much because of the injury. So, I didn't get that much time in the nets before the Pune Test. I got two net sessions and I am the kind of person, I like to have long practice sessions so that I feel confident about it. So, the conversation with the coach was just having more repetitions on what I think is the best idea for me to be able to play spin," said Gill.
That Gill managed to play a superb knock despite not having the best preparation for it speaks volumes for his talent, ability, and temperament and will certainly stand him in good stead for the upcoming Test tour of Australia later this month.
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