Shubman Gill says he is angry with himself for not converting his innings into a big one
Shubman Gill has played two quality innings in the series up until this point and Ahead of the third and last ODI against West Indies, Gill confessed to feeling “angry” with him for not converting his starts into a big one for India.
Shubman Gill has played two quality innings in the series up until this point yet there stays a feeling of what might have been about both those knocks. It didn’t help that they met unexpected finishes.
While his innings of 64(43) in the first ODI flamed out with a casual run-out, his 43(49) in the second game injury up with a poorly endeavored scoop which miscued the ball back to the bowler.
Ahead of the third and last ODI against West Indies, Gill confessed to feeling “angry” with himself for not converting his starts into a big one for India. His highest ODI score remains at 64.
“After getting those starts, unfortunately, I couldn’t convert them into a hundred and I am angry with myself for that,”
Gill said.
“They (the two innings) were a huge confidence booster. West Indies are a good team and we posted two good totals, one while batting first and the other while chasing. Hopefully, I will go big in the third match. The kind of starts I have been getting, I will aim to convert those into big innings.”
Gill said he was feeling good about his batting and the conditions on offer have played to his strengths – two factors that underline why he must be feeling the way he is.
“The surfaces have suited me quite well here. There’s not been much lateral movement for the fast bowlers and the new ball has been coming on nicely. It’s been harder against the old ball which stops a little but overall batting here has been a really good experience.
“I am feeling very good, very confident about my batting. We couldn’t practice much after the Test series in England as both our practice sessions here got rained out, but once I batted in the ODIs, I felt confident.”
Paving the way to the series, Gill hadn’t seemed like an automatic choice to open alongside Shikhar Dhawan. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan were in the blend as well, but Gill was pushed in front of them and it did his certainty ponders, he admits.
“(Asking me to open) gave me a lot of confidence. To be given to play a game for India, especially at the international level feels good. It was important for me to pay that trust back and I was happy to contribute to the team’s cause.
“Opening the batting alongside Shikhar has been great. He has so much experience, has played all over the world and I get to learn a lot.”