In the 31 ODI innings Shubman Gill played for India prior to the Asia Cup clash against Bangladesh on Friday (September 15), he found himself batting in the second innings on just 12 occasions and faced in excess of 50 deliveries only four times. His highest scores of 82 not out (versus Zimbabwe) and 67 not out (against Nepal) - the only two half-centuries in run-chases - came in unbroken opening partnerships that ensured comfortable victories for India.
Against Bangladesh on Friday, Gill scored his first hundred in a run-chase albeit in a losing cause. But on display were his skills to adapt and take on a different role in the side. He was, after all, up against the challenge of a slow Colombo pitch and a formidable Bangladesh bowling attack featuring four spin options after India opted to chase a target. Nevertheless, the opener rose to the occasion, masterfully pacing his innings and employing a classical technique to maintain India's presence in the match. He remained a persistent threat to Bangladesh even as they continuously snared wickets to prevent promising partnerships from blossoming into significant stands. Focusing on effective strike rotation and capitalising on boundary-scoring opportunities, Gill exuded composure throughout his innings, a stark contrast to his team-mates who struggled to find their rhythm on the demanding pitch.
Gill demonstrated his proficiency, whether it was advancing down the track for powerful hits or deftly rocking back to play the ball late. He dispatched five sixes, all with authority in front of the wicket against the challenging Bangladesh spinners. His confident drives, precision-cut shots, and the accumulation of 43 singles, five doubles, and two triples, showcased his versatile batting prowess. Gill not only countered the new ball, which he later said was doing a bit under the lights, but also underscored his capability to handle a high-quality spin attack that persistently tested the opposition.
The opener fought admirably to prevent India from succumbing to the mounting required run rate. In his pursuit to narrow the gap, he crafted an impressive 121, yet his departure left him disheartened, unable to see the innings through to the end. While Axar Patel's valiant 42 offered a glimmer of hope for India, it eventually faded away. However, it was Gill's dismissal, following a towering six over midwicket against Mahedi Hasan, that proved to be the turning point, tilting the game away from India's grasp.
"There is so much adrenaline when you are batting, sometimes you miscalculate and I think that was a miscalculation on my side," observed Gill, speaking about his dismissal at a crucial juncture. "But when you go out and then you see there was a lot of time left and if I would have batted a bit normally or not that aggressively then I think we should have been able to get over the line. But these are the learnings. Fortunately, this game wasn't the final for us and these are the kind of learnings as a batsman I like to take and like to improve on."
Despite the outcome of the game, it was another box ticked for India as they witnessed Gill adapt to a new role with exceptional skill. Prior to this, he had faced over 100 deliveries in an ODI inning only once, during his 149-ball 208 against New Zealand in Hyderabad earlier this year. However, that was a first-innings effort on a substantially different pitch compared to Colombo's conditions. His 133-ball outing on Friday, during which he became the lone Indian to cross 1000 ODI runs in 2023, highlighted the remarkable maturity that has rapidly evolved in his game over just a few months.
As the World Cup approaches, India may encounter similar pitches, particularly in the later stages. The presence of someone like Gill - who has exhibited substantial development on the international stage - as part of the core batting unit, will instill immense confidence in India as they prepare to enter the marquee event.
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