Limited exposure to Pakistan’s quality bowling attack makes it very challenging: Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill has opened up about the challenges posed by Pakistan’s formidable pace attack, shedding light on India’s preparations ahead of their Super Four Asia Cup clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. Speaking during a pre-match press conference on Saturday, Shubman Gill admitted that India’s sporadic encounters with Pakistan have left them less accustomed to facing the quality Pakistani bowling attack, which can at times pose difficulties for the Men in Blue.

“When you are playing at this level, you play left-arm pacers previously at some point of your career. We do not play Pakistan that much as compared to the other sides. They have a quality bowling attack. When you do not face such a bowling attack frequently and are not used to it, it makes a difference,” said Gill, addressing the challenges posed by Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Gill also discussed the unique contrast in playing styles between himself and his opening partner, skipper Rohit Sharma. He highlighted how their distinct approaches to batting make it a daunting task for bowlers to contain them. “I am someone who likes to play along the ground in the powerplay. Rohit takes on bowlers aerially. This combination works well for us. How different we are as players makes it difficult for bowlers to contain us,” explained Gill.

Also See: India vs Pakistan Match Schedule, Series Fixtures, Match Dates, Timing and Venues

Reflecting on his recent dip in form post the Indian Premier League (IPL), Gill emphasized that, at times, it’s not about technique but rather the quality of the opposition’s bowling. He acknowledged that even in tough times, one must trust their game and strive for significant runs.

When questioned about Pakistan skipper Babar Azam’s batting, Gill spoke highly of the talented Pakistani batsman, referring to him as a “World-Class player” and confirming that he and his teammates follow and admire Babar’s performances closely.

Gill also touched upon the distinctions between Pakistan’s pace duo, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, noting that Afridi offers more swing, while Naseem Shah possesses greater pace and precision in his deliveries.

Looking ahead to the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup scheduled to commence on October 5, Gill expressed confidence in the team’s clarity regarding their roles and batting positions. He stated, “Our plans will be the same, to give a solid foundation and then dominate.”

Despite a recent underperformance by India’s top order, Gill remained optimistic, citing their ability to adapt and recover, evidenced by their ability to put up a competitive total of around 260 even when the top order faltered in a previous encounter against Pakistan.

Also See: India Cricket Schedule | Pakistan Cricket Schedule

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir (travelling reserve).

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumraj, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Sanju Samson (travelling reserve).

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