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India’s opener, Shubman Gill, made a resounding comeback to form in the third ODI against West Indies after a string of low scores in the ongoing tour. The right-handed batsman played a scintillating knock of 85, adorned with 11 boundaries, at the Brian Lara Stadium, propelling India to a commanding 200-run victory and securing a series win of 2-1.
Gill’s innings proved to be pivotal for him, as he had struggled to find his touch with the bat in the previous four matches on the tour. The 23-year-old had managed scores of seven and 34 runs in the first two ODIs, followed by six and 10 & 29 not out in the two-match Test series preceding the ODIs.
On Tuesday, Gill found his rhythm early and set the stage for a formidable total as India posted a daunting 351-5 in 50 overs. However, he missed out on a well-deserved century as he was caught at mid-wicket off Gudakesh Motie.
Well played. Deserved a 💯@ShubmanGill
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.#INDvWIAdFreeonFanCode #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/KPWdZjFQt6— FanCode (@FanCode) August 1, 2023
“In the last game, I was set and looking for a big one”: Gill
Reflecting on his performance, Gill expressed his satisfaction with the special knock, despite missing out on a hundred. He attributed the team’s triumph to the collective effort and was glad that India emerged victorious.
“It was a very special innings for me, and though I was looking for a big score, unfortunately, that didn’t materialize. Nonetheless, I’m happy that we ended up on the winning side,” Shubman said after being awarded the Player of the Match.
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Commenting on the pitch conditions, Gill pointed out that as the ball got older, it became trickier to score runs, making the initial phase crucial for the batsmen.
“It was a good pitch initially; the ball was coming on nicely. However, as the ball aged, it became tough to find boundaries,” he added.
Gill also discussed his approach to the ODI format and how it has evolved over time. Referring to his performance in the second ODI, he highlighted the importance of maintaining pressure on the opposition, a key aspect of modern ODI cricket.
“In the last game, I was set and looking for a big one, trying to accelerate, as you have to keep putting pressure on the opposition. That’s how the ODI game has evolved recently. I just try to do my best and not focus too much on who’s playing or not,” he concluded.
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With Gill finding his form, India will be optimistic about their prospects in future encounters as they continue their tour against West Indies. The explosive batsman’s resurgence adds depth and potency to the Indian batting lineup, bolstering their chances of more success in the upcoming games.
Both teams will now face each other in a five-match T20I series, starting on Thursday, August 3.
