After his brilliant batting in Birmingham, Indian captain Shubman Gill spoke about changes to his technique after the IPL, dealing with public opinions and how playing full Test matches in England helped the team.
Gill’s 269 and 161 were the difference between India and England, he was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ as India drew the series 1-1.
Gill said he started working on his batting after the IPL. He said public opinions on technique change every now and then but the team focuses on internal confidence and support. What the team thinks matters more than outside opinions.
I started working on a few things towards the end of the IPL. People’s views on technique and players change after every series and every game. Our team and I don’t bother with outside opinions.
Those views change every day. What matters most is what your team thinks of you when you go into a game. If your teammates have confidence in you, that’s more important than what others think of me or my technique.
As captain I feel it’s important to set an example. So when another player is in a similar situation you can tell them what the team needs at that moment. You have to always put the team first even if you want to try something different. Putting the team first will guide you in the right direction, that’s what I did in this game. If I get out to a good ball I get out. But while I’m at the crease I want to play as long as I can.
Gill scored 430 runs in both the innings, second highest in a Test behind Graham Gooch’s 456 against India in 1990. He is the second batter to score 150+ in both innings of a Test after Allan Border in 1980. He is also the first to score 250+ and 150+ in a Test.
He is the second Indian after Gavaskar to score a double century and a century in the same Test. Others with this record are KD Walters, RG Lowe, Greg Chappell, Gooch, Brian Lara, Kumar Sangakkara, Marnus Labuschagne.
Gill’s score surpasses Virat Kohli’s record (243 and 50) for the highest score by an Indian captain in a Test match.
Read Also:- Aakash Deep : The chief architect of India’s victory on day 5
Gill said team comes first, personal milestones gives him the strength to bat longer, regardless of conditions. Leading by example is important for leadership so players put the team first.
He said playing full five day Tests helped the team’s batting, bowling and fielding. Playing a full day in the field like in the first innings is beneficial. Scoring consistently keeps the team competitive.
Gill is the second Asian batter to score 350+ in a Test outside the subcontinent after Hanif Mohammad in 1958.
He is also the third Asian batter to score 300+ in a Test in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) after Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in 2003-04. He is also the third Indian captain to score 100+ in both innings of a Test after Gavaskar and Kohli. Second player to score 300 in his first two Tests as captain after Virat Kohli.
