Cricket

Shubman Gill's remarkable turnaround in Test cricket during the England series earlier this year can be attributed to his meticulous work on defensive batting, the 24-year-old has revealed.Gill, who has an average of 35.52 after 25 Tests, amassed 452 runs in the home series against England, showcasing a significant improvement in his ability to withstand the rigors of Test cricket."I worked on my defense a little bit more, especially against the spinners," Gill told ESPNCricinfo, as quoted by the ICC. "If you're playing on a turning track, you should be able to defend a lot more, then you play your scoring shots."Gill's focus on defensive batting stemmed from his realization that batting-friendly tracks in white-ball games can erode a player's defensive skills over time. "I feel it [batting-friendly tracks in white-ball games] takes away a little bit of your defensive game over a period of time," he said. "So that was my focus in the England series."Gill's defensive improvements were evident in his crucial hundred in the second Test in Vizag, where he played a patient and composed innings on a challenging pitch. He finished the series with an average of 56.5, a testament to his newfound defensive prowess.Gill's resurgence in Test cricket is a positive sign for India, who will be looking to him to play a key role in their upcoming series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. These series will serve as crucial preparation for the Border Gavaskar Trophy later this year, where India will face their arch-rivals Australia in a four-match Test series.With his improved defensive technique and growing experience, Gill is poised to become a mainstay in India's Test batting lineup for years to come.

Shubman Gill's Duleep Trophy Woes Continue as Navdeep Saini StrikesIndia's highly-rated opener Shubman Gill endured another disappointing outing in the Duleep Trophy, failing to make a significant contribution for the second consecutive innings. Playing for India A against India B, Gill's hopes of a strong opening partnership with Mayank Agarwal were dashed by the brilliance of Navdeep Saini.Saini, who has been in impressive form throughout the match, delivered a widish delivery that Gill deemed safe to leave alone. However, the ball had other ideas, crashing into Gill's stumps and leaving him stunned. The dismissal highlighted Gill's struggles in the tournament, as he has failed to convert his starts into substantial scores.Saini's impact on the match extended beyond his bowling performance. He also contributed a valuable 56 runs off 144 balls, forging an important partnership with Musheer Khan to help India B post a respectable total of 321 runs.India B's batting had initially struggled, losing seven wickets for just 94 runs. However, Musheer and Saini steadied the ship, adding an unbeaten 108 runs to guide their team to a competitive position. Musheer played a patient knock of 105 runs off 227 balls, while Saini chipped in with an unbeaten 29 off 74 deliveries.For India A, Khaleel Ahmed, Akash Deep, and Avesh Khan each claimed two wickets, while one wicket came via a runout.Gill's dismissal will be a concern for the Indian team management, as he is seen as a key player in the future. The young opener has shown glimpses of his talent, but he needs to find consistency and convert his starts into big scores.

Shubman Gill's Taped-Up Jersey Sparks Curiosity in Duleep Trophy OpenerIndia A and India B are currently engaged in a captivating battle in the opening match of the Duleep Trophy 2024 at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. While the match has witnessed some thrilling cricketing action, it is Shubman Gill's unusual taped-up jersey that has become a talking point among spectators.Gill, the captain of India A, has been spotted wearing a jersey with a large piece of tape covering the number on the back. The reason behind this peculiar attire remains a mystery, but there are several speculations circulating.One theory suggests that Gill may not have had access to his usual '77' jersey. The number 7 holds special significance for Gill, who has previously expressed his desire to wear it. However, it is possible that the '77' jersey was unavailable for this match.Another possibility is that Gill borrowed a teammate's jersey and opted to cover the number to avoid confusion. This is a common practice in cricket, especially when players are wearing similar-colored jerseys.Regardless of the reason, Gill's taped-up jersey has certainly generated curiosity and sparked discussions among fans. It is a testament to the attention to detail and superstition that often surrounds the sport of cricket.

Rishabh Pant's eagerly awaited return to red-ball cricket after his horrific car accident in December 2022 was cut short on Thursday, as India A captain Shubman Gill pulled off a breathtaking catch to dismiss the left-hander on day one of the first-round Duleep Trophy match against India B in Bengaluru.Pant, who was making his first appearance in a competitive match since the accident, lasted just 10 balls before Gill's stunning effort ended his innings. Trying to hit fast bowler Akash Deep towards the on-side, Pant sliced the ball towards mid-off, where Gill was stationed.Gill, despite the ball appearing to be sailing over his head, never lost sight of it. Running backwards, he looked to be a yard or two short, but he dived full length at the last second to make up for it and pouch the ball.Earlier, Gill won the toss and India A opted to bowl first to make use of any early moisture because of rains lashing Bengaluru over the past few days. India B got off to a sedate start, losing two wickets before lunch to reach 65 for 2 in 30 overs, with Yashasvi Jaiswal dismissed after getting his eye in. He scored 30.The post lunch session saw a flurry of wickets as India B slipped to 94 for 7, with only Musheer Khan showing some resistance, while approaching a patient fifty. Pacers Khaleel Ahmed, Akash Deep and Avesh Khan took two wickets each.Pant's dismissal was a major setback for India A, who were hoping for a strong performance from the star wicketkeeper-batsman. However, Gill's stunning catch proved to be a turning point in the match, as India B went on to post a respectable total of 242 all out.

India A vs India B: Shubman Gill Wins Toss, Elects to Bowl FirstThe official start of India's domestic season commenced with an improvised form of the Duleep Trophy, featuring four teams: India A, B, C, and D. In the opening match at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India A captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first.The decision was influenced by the recent rainfall in the area, which left moisture on the wicket. Gill believed this would provide an advantage to his pacers, including Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed.India A's bowling attack also features Kuldeep Yadav, giving them a balanced combination of three fast bowlers and two spinners. India B, on the other hand, boasts a strong batting lineup led by Abhimanyu Easwaran, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sarfaraz Khan.With several established and promising Indian stars participating in the tournament, the match serves as an audition for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Players like Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant will be eager to impress the selectors and secure their spots in the national team.The match is expected to be a competitive one, with both teams evenly matched. India A will look to utilize the early moisture on the wicket, while India B will rely on their strong batting lineup to post a challenging total.

Shubman Gill's remarkable turnaround in Test cricket against England earlier this year can be attributed to his meticulous focus on improving his defensive game, particularly against spinners. Prior to the series, Gill's Test average stood at a modest 30.59. However, batting at the crucial No. 3 position, he amassed 452 runs in nine innings, averaging an impressive 56.50. This included two centuries and two half-centuries, effectively silencing his critics who had questioned his ability to succeed in the longest format.Gill's defensive prowess was evident in his ability to negotiate the turning tracks in India. He acknowledged that playing on such surfaces requires a strong defensive foundation to counter the threat of spin. He also recognized that his involvement in T20 cricket, with its emphasis on aggressive batting, had inadvertently weakened his defensive skills. Thus, he made a conscious effort to rectify this during the England series.After scoring a crucial 104 in the second innings of the second Test in Visakhapatnam, Gill revealed that he had requested the team management to shift him down to No. 3 instead of opening the batting. This move allowed him to settle into the innings and build a solid foundation.Despite his impressive performances against England, Gill remains humble and acknowledges that he has yet to fully establish himself as a Test player. He is determined to make amends in the upcoming series, with India scheduled to play ten Tests over the next four months.In addition to his batting prowess, Gill has also embraced leadership responsibilities. He captained Gujarat Titans in the IPL and led India in five T20Is against Zimbabwe. He believes that captaincy enhances his understanding of his teammates and allows him to connect with them on a deeper level.Gill emphasizes that his role as a batsman remains unchanged, regardless of his leadership position. His primary goal is to contribute runs and lead his team to victory. However, he recognizes the importance of understanding his players' strengths and weaknesses as a captain.

Shubman Gill, the promising Indian opener, is determined to make a significant impact in the upcoming Test season. Despite his impressive performances in white-ball cricket, Gill acknowledges that his Test career has yet to reach its full potential.In preparation for the ten Test matches scheduled this season, Gill has focused on strengthening his defense against spinners. He believes that improving his ability to defend on turning tracks will allow him to play more scoring shots."I worked on my defense a little bit more against spinners. You should be able to defend a lot more when you are playing on a turning track against spinners, then you can play the scoring shots," Gill said.Gill's performance in the home series against England earlier this year was his most sustained in Test cricket to date. He amassed close to 500 runs, including a century and two half-centuries. He hopes to build on that performance in the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh.The 24-year-old opener also spoke about his growth as a player and a person, attributing it to his experiences in the Indian team and his captaincy role with the Gujarat Titans in the IPL."Every match or tournament that you play, you look to learn more about yourself irrespective of whether you are captain or not the captain. More so because of the captain you will get to know about other players too. It's important for the captain to have a connect with the players," Gill said.Gill emphasized that his role as a batsman remains unchanged despite being part of the leadership group. He believes that his primary responsibility is to score runs for the team.The Duleep Trophy, which begins on Thursday, will provide Gill with an opportunity to adjust to the demands of red-ball cricket. He believes that the tournament will be a good competition, as he will be playing against some of his Indian teammates.Gill also revealed that India pacer Prasidh Krishna will not be available for the opening round of the Duleep Trophy due to an injury.

Yuvraj Singh, the legendary Indian all-rounder, has played a pivotal role in mentoring two promising Punjab batsmen: Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma. Both players have already made their India debuts, with Gill emerging as a rising star in world cricket and Sharma showcasing his exceptional six-hitting abilities.On Sharma's 24th birthday, Yuvraj took to social media to extend his heartfelt wishes and share a glimpse of their training session. "Happy birthday sir Abhishek. Hope you take as many singles this year as many as you knock out of the park," Yuvraj wrote playfully, acknowledging Sharma's penchant for hitting towering sixes.Sharma made his international debut in the T20I series against Zimbabwe earlier this year, where he played under the leadership of Gill. Despite being part of a young Indian team, Sharma impressed with his blistering century in the fourth match of the series, amassing 124 runs in four innings.A versatile batsman, Sharma initially played in the middle order but has successfully adapted to batting in the top three positions for Punjab in domestic cricket and the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League. He also possesses useful left-arm spin bowling skills.Yuvraj's social media post further emphasized the importance of hard work and dedication. "Keep putting in the hard work! Loads of love and wishes for a great year ahead!" he wrote.Sharma's journey to the international stage is a testament to his talent and the guidance he has received from mentors like Yuvraj Singh. As he continues to develop his skills, Sharma has the potential to become a formidable force in Indian cricket.

Dinesh Karthik Advocates for Gill and Khan to Replace Pujara and Rahane in Border-Gavaskar TrophyFormer Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has suggested that Shubman Gill and Sarfaraz Khan should be considered as potential replacements for veteran batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.Karthik believes that Gill and Khan have the potential to fill the void left by Pujara and Rahane, who have struggled for form in recent times. Both Gill and Khan have impressed with their performances in domestic cricket and have shown glimpses of their talent at the international level.Gill has already made a significant impact in Tests, particularly in challenging conditions. His ability to handle pressure and perform under duress was evident during India's memorable series win in Australia in 2020/21. Khan, on the other hand, has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket, scoring heavily against formidable bowling attacks. His impressive showings in the home series against England earlier this year have further strengthened his case for inclusion in the squad for the Australian tour.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a five-match series, will be a stern test for India's batting lineup. The matches will be played in Perth, Adelaide (featuring a pink-ball Test), Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. Team India will be aiming to extend their dominance in Australia, having clinched the previous two editions of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2018/19 and 2020/21 Down Under.