• By Namrata Vijay
  • Sat, 02 Nov 2024 08:15 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

IND vs NZ, 3rd Test: India's star batter Shubman Gill talked about batting strategies with Rishabh Pant on the second day of the third Test against New Zealand on Saturday. Gill revealed that both he and Pant were trying to have fun at the crease and also tried to pressurize the visitors by ruining their lines and lengths. Shubman Gill's brilliant knock of 90 and Rishabh Pant's gritty knock of 60 runs built a partnership of 96 runs, but besides their efforts, the Indian batters were once again seen struggling.

"I think when you put the bowlers under pressure, it is difficult for them to bowl in that area consistently and that's what we talked about. The way Rishabh came in and started hitting those boundaries, in that very particular session they were not consistent with their line and lengths. So that's why we're able to cash in," Gill told reporters in the post-match press conference.

Gill misses out on a century

The Rohit Sharma-led side were in a precarious situation at stumps on the first day as they were tottering at 86/4. Pant and Gill helped the team bounce back. But after Pant got out, the hosts went from 182/5 to 263 all-out, where Gill also fell agonizingly short of a well-deserved century.

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"We were just having fun in the middle, and it was all about trying to put them under pressure. Like I said, it is difficult. If we are playing our shots, then it's difficult for bowlers to bowl in that area consistently. If we see that the bowlers are bowling in the same area, it is difficult to defend in that area consistently. Then it's hard for bowlers to contain runs," he revealed.

This has been a great year

Gill reckoned that he was confident of heading to the third day since he batted brilliantly against the spinners and helped the team take a lead of 28 runs along with Rishabh Pant.

"I think I have been having a great year this year. I played the last match and got two starts. I wasn't able to convert and that is a different thing. I was very confident going into this innings and had no pressure," he concluded.