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Shubman Gill reveals how and when he was selected over double centurion Ishan Kishan for 1st ODI vs Sri Lanka
23-year-old Gill was preferred over opener Ishan Kishan in the playing XI on Tuesday. He came in place of Ishan who was dropped after he had smashed a double ton during Bangladesh tour, in the previous ODI that Team India played.
Team India surpassed Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the first One-Day International(ODI) match on Tuesday. Captain Rohit Sharma(83 off 67 balls), opener Shubman Gill(70 off 60 balls) and No.3 Virat Kohli (113 off 87 balls) made notable contributions as the hosts piled up a huge score of 373/7 in 50 overs. The Men in Blue then restrained Sri Lanka at 306/8 in 50 overs, to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.
23-year-old Gill was preferred over opener Ishan Kishan in the playing XI on Tuesday. He came in place of Ishan who was dropped after he had smashed a double ton during Bangladesh tour, in the previous ODI that Team India played. The team's decision definitely raised eyebrows among the cricket fraternity who cried injustice against Ishan. But Gill justified the India skipper's backing with a 143-run partnership for the first wicket alongside Rohit. The right-handed batter expressed his emotions in the post-match presentation.
"It feels good when the team captain backs you. This was the conversation in the practice as well, that I will be playing. Rahul bhai (Dravid) also told me to just play my natural game... whatever I have been doing in the one-dayers, continue doing that," said Gill.
The prolific opener also gave insight into his thoughts after missing out on a big individual score as he got dismissed for 70 runs after getting settled in the middle.
"I was definitely disappointed when I got out on 70 because I had done all the hard work to get going and get a big one for the team," said the 23-year-old.
Gill also talked about the strategic conversations with fellow opener and skipper Rohit, during their big partnership in the match. He said "I have batted with Rohit bhai before in Australia, mainly in the Tests. It is nice to bat with him. The conversation generally when we were in the middle is, which bowler to target? What are they trying to do? Where are they trying to block our runs? And accordingly we make our plans."
"Definitely, I was disappointed when I got out on 70. I did all the hard work and it was time to get going and get a big one for the team. After seeing off the new ball, I got out in the 20th over, so I had almost 30 overs to bat," the young opener added.
Meanwhile, Kohli notched up his 73rd international century and 45th in ODIs on Tuesday. In his 113-run knock, the former India captain blasted one six and twelve fours.
