Shubman Gill opens up on opening battle with Prithvi Shaw: One out of the two batsmen will get to open the batting in Wellington.
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India batsman Shubman Gill had identified New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner as someone who takes a lot of wickets with the short ball.
Gill referred to New Zealand’s recent tour of Australia where Wagner was the highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers with 17 wickets at an average of 22.76, an economy rate of 2.45 and a strike rate of 55.5.
“I think their bowling attack has been taking a lot of wickets with the short ball, especially [Neil] Wagner. If you see the last series they played against Australia, when nothing was happening in the wicket, they were really relying on the short ball.
“I think as a team, as a batsman, if we could take that out of the picture and not give wickets to the short ball, it will be really helpful for us,” Gill was quoted as saying during a press conference in Wellington.
Shubman Gill reaching yet another century against NZA. Surely he will get a chance in the first test, given the injury to Rohit. @CricCrazyJohns @MalhotraSaurabh @cricBC pic.twitter.com/ikHZYJa7o0
— Susant (@SilliPoint) February 9, 2020
It is worth mentioning that Wagner had frequently dismissed the likes of David Warner and Steve Smith during the series to allure accolades with respect to his consistency and endurance.
Shubman Gill opens up on opening battle with Prithvi Shaw
There is no hiding to the fact that in Rohit Sharma’s absence, one out of Gill or Prithvi Shaw will be selected to open the batting alongside Mayank Agarwal in the first Test. Aware about the same, Gill sounded unperturbed without what decision the team management will take.
“Obviously, our careers started at the same time but there is no fight [for the spot] as such. Both of us have done well in our positions. It’s up to the team management, who they will play. Whoever gets the chance will try to make the most of the opportunity and not let it go waste,” Gill said.
Gill, who is coming on the back of scores of 83, 204* and 136 during the shadow tour in New Zealand, further laid emphasis on fitness over controlling the mind in Test matches.
“I don’t know about control over the mind but if you are fitter, you are confident that I can play a longer innings, I won’t be that tired. If I am playing in a test match, I can back myself to play 300 balls, 350 balls and after that, when you go out to field, I won’t be that tired. My legs won’t be that tired,” Gill added.
