Gill brushes aside Cummins’ claims on Indian batters struggling against short-ball

The India-Australia rivalry has never lacked verbal sparring, but this series has been notably less fiery. While both teams have kept things cordial, with the series now tied at 1-1, that dynamic could change. 

Ahead of the third Test at the Gabba, the venue of India’s historic win in 2020-21, Pat Cummins stirred things up a little bit by claiming that the Indian batters struggled against Australia’s short-ball tactics in the second Test and revealed their plan of continuing the same plan in Brisbane. 

“It worked in Adelaide, so I’m sure we’ll give it a shot at some stage. For the tailenders, it looked like a wicket was very likely, so yeah,” Cummins said in the pre-match press conference.

However, Shubman Gill dismissed that claim, pointing out that only one Indian batter in the top and middle order was dismissed to the short ball in Adelaide. 

“Leaving aside the tailenders, they only got one batter out to the short ball, so I don’t know what success he (Pat Cummins) is talking about,” Gill said.

After missing the first Test in Perth, Gill returned for the second Test in Adelaide but managed only 59 runs across two innings. Reflecting on his performance, the Indian No. 3 explained that he went into a shell during the first innings and had a sighting issue in the second, which led to his dismissal.

"When you are out there, one of the challenges is can you play the game how you want to play the game irrespective of what's happening on the other end or what's happening on the scorecard and I think I faltered in the first innings around because of that," Gill said, "Because what happened on the other end I kind of took that on me.

"There was a period where I didn't get to face, maybe I faced one ball in like four overs and then the next ball that I faced I kind of missed a straight ball, a fuller ball [and was lbw]. But these are the challenges that you face while playing a Test match: you might not get the strike for three or four overs, you might get the strike less, or you might face like 18 balls on the trot.

"We don't play [it] as much, and just playing at night, it is a little bit harder to gauge the seam position and the hand position at which the ball is released, so it is a bit more difficult to look as a batsman."

Rohit Sharma didn't come for practice on Friday, which led to Shubman Gill attending the press conference. When Gill was asked about this, the Fazilka-born batter stated that Rohit had had enough practice and, hence, took the day off ahead of the Gabba Test.

“This was an optional practice session and I think he has practised enough," Gill replied.

“The intensity at which games are played here, especially Tests, is one of the most difficult things. Maintaining that intensity throughout five days is what makes touring Australia so tough. The conditions are challenging, but there’s a period between 30-35 overs and the second new ball when it gets easier to bat. But you have to maintain mental intensity.”

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