“No pressure, we’ve been winning against Australia”, says Shubman Gill ahead of Gabba Test

Indian batter Shubman Gill opened up about the unique challenges of playing Test cricket in Australia as India prepares for the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba. With the series tied 1-1, the match starting on December 14 holds significant stakes for both sides.

Also See: IND vs AUS Series | IND vs AUS Schedule

Reflecting on the mental and physical demands of playing in Australia, Gill highlighted the intensity required to succeed in the conditions. “Maintaining the same intensity for five days is what makes the Australian tour so difficult. It’s not just about physical fitness; it’s about mental intensity and readiness,” Gill said in a pre-match press conference.

He noted that while conditions at the Gabba are challenging, there are phases where batting becomes easier. “The pitches here are fast and hard, helping fast bowlers. But from around 30 to 35 overs until the second new ball, batting gets relatively easier. You need to stay mentally tough to make the most of those opportunities,” he explained.

Gill also expressed a sense of nostalgia returning to Brisbane, where India famously defeated Australia in 2021, ending their 32-year unbeaten streak at the venue. “Walking through the stadium felt nostalgic. That victory was special, and I hope we can replicate that performance,” he said.

The 24-year-old emphasized that the current generation of Indian cricketers approaches challenges differently. With recent successes in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21, Gill noted that younger players focus on technique and game awareness rather than being intimidated by the opposition.

“Pressure? We’ve won the last four Test series against Australia, so I don’t see why there should be any pressure on us. For our generation, we focus on the bowlers and their seam position rather than their reputation,” Gill remarked.

Gill described the tactical and mental battles in a long series as part of the charm of Test cricket. “The beauty of a long series is figuring out how to counter bowlers who might have gotten you out multiple times. You learn where you’re vulnerable and find areas where you can attack. It’s as much about mental tactics as it is about skill,” he said.

While Gill has shown promise in the series, with scores of 31 and 28 in Adelaide, he admitted he is yet to convert starts into big scores. “I’ve felt good while batting. In the first innings, I got affected by what happened at the other end and missed a straight ball. In the second, I struggled to pick the seam, but I’ve enjoyed every moment at the crease so far,” Gill added.

India heads into the Gabba Test with confidence from past triumphs but aware of the challenges posed by Australia’s conditions and pace attack. With standout performances from both sides so far, including Travis Head’s counter-attacking century and India’s dominant win in Perth, the third Test promises another riveting contest.

As Gill summed up, “This back-and-forth nature of Test cricket, where the balance shifts between teams and players, is what makes it special.”

India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar. Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal.

Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Brendan Doggett, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster