India’s batter Shubman Gill was delighted after the hosts defeated England by five wickets in the fourth Test match at Ranchi on Monday. Gill played a crucial role in India’s thrilling win as he scored an imperative knock of unbeaten 52 in a tricky run-chase of 192.
India was put under pressure after they lost five quick wickets for 36 runs after Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma added 84 runs for the opening alliance. At 120-5, India needed another 72 runs to win on a pitch, which was playing its tricks.
England’s young spin duo of Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley had their tail up but Dhruv Jurel and Shubman Gill were able to get their team out of the hole. The duo added 72 runs with Gill scoring his sixth Test fifty whereas Jurel continued from where he left in the first innings, scoring an unbeaten 39.
Shubman Gill said after the team’s win while speaking to the host broadcaster, “We were put under pressure by them, but we got a good start by our openers, losing couple of wickets put pressure. But Jurel came out and took the pressure off. You have to see the situation and play accordingly – they were bowling well and protecting the boundaries, also not giving maidens and keep picking the singles (was the mindset).”
On his partnership with Dhruv Jurel, Gill said, “I just told him (Jurel) you batted beautifully in the first innings and to have the same mindset, try to use the feet to negate the off-spinner. The way he came down and played was beautiful. The first innings the ball was not turning much and hence I didn’t use my feet, but second innings I decided to take the LBW out of the equation by using my feet. It means the world to us, coming here and having to play the series with not much batting experience, having lost KL after the first Test.. but Rohit Bhai backed us and gave us the confidence to go out and play with freedom.”
Gill has been in good form in the ongoing series and he will look to continue the good show in the last Test. The fifth and final Test match will be played at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala from March 7.
