NEW DELHI: First there were concerns about his fitness, after catching dengue fever before the opening match against Australia, then there were concerns about his form, after scoring just one fifty in four innings. But on Thursday, young India opener Shubman Gill ended all the concerns by scoring a run-a-ball 92 against Sri Lanka in their ICC ODI World Cup match at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.
Gill, who missed a well-deserved hundred, though disclosed that he is yet to attain full fitness from the fever, even though he has been part of the playing eleven for the last five consecutive games since missing the first two matches in the tournament.
"Haven't attained full fitness yet. I am four kilos down from dengue, in terms of muscle mass and weight," Gill said after the match, while speaking to the official broadcasters.
Gill played his part in helping India post a massive 357 for 8 after being sent into bat by Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis. He also put on a match-winning 189 runs for the second wicket with Virat Kohli, who contributed 88 off 94 balls. India went on to register a massive 302-run victory, dismissing Sri Lanka for just 55 in 19.4 overs.
When asked about what transpired between him and Kohli during the big partnership, Gill responded by saying that they were looking to play in a compact manner.
"Honestly the discussion was to play in a compact manner. The odd ball was seaming. Hit the balls in our areas. You couldn’t get into a shell. Looked to put the pressure on the bowlers. I felt in the previous matches I got starts, except the last one. Sometimes you play a good shot and it goes to the fielder. We thought about rotating the strike today," Gill said.
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Gill, who smashed two maximums and 11 fours, explained how he starts an innings, saying: "I am the kind of person who doesn't get nervous. I look to tackle it my own way at the start."
"I honestly don’t think it was a 400 wicket. We batted well to get 350. Shreyas was the key today," he added.
Gill was full of praise for the India bowlers and called their spells 'sensational'.
"The way they were bowling we were anticipating wickets. Siraj is always fired up. They were sensational. Has made out job easier for us," Gill concluded.
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