Shubman Gill responded sharply after a reporter tried to knock him down with a “jab runs nahi bante” bomb: “Me? Personally?’

Right-handed batter Shubman Gillwho finished third in Tests may have played one of his best knocks in the longest format, saving Team India from a precarious position in the ongoing third and final Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. A 90-run knock on a turning track must have given the youngster enough confidence that Gill was in the mood to answer late questions about his form. Speaking at a press conference after the setbacks on day two, Shubman Gill was asked whether he is under pressure when he is unable to score runs at No.3 and the 25-year-old closed the question: in his style.

“Since you moved to the No. 3 position, do you feel pressure on you from jab runs nahi bante (when the runs don’t come)? What is your attitude then? – asked the journalist.

Without losing his cool, Shubman Gill gave a sharp response, saying, “Like me personally? I think I had a great year. I played in the last Test, I had two starts, I couldn’t convert, so that’s another thing, but I had a lot of confidence in that innings, there was no pressure on me.”

India were reeling at 84/4 in the first innings but Shubman Gill along with Rishabh Pantsaved India as the duo put on 96 runs for the fifth wicket. Gill eventually scored 90 and Pant was dismissed after scoring a quick 60 in just 59 balls.

“Rishabh put pressure on New Zealand bowlers”

Rishabh Pant’s 60-run knock was studded with eight fours and two sixes. The left-hander was particularly fond of Ayaz Patel and the left-handed spinner was unable to settle at the crease. Unsurprisingly, Pant’s dismissal helped Ajaz regain his mojo and eventually claim another five-wicket haul at the Wankhede.

“I think when you put bowlers under pressure, it’s difficult for them to bowl consistently in that area and that’s what we’ve been talking about. I think the way Rishabh came in and started pushing those boundaries, in that particular session they weren’t very consistent. with their line and length, so we were able to make money,” Gill said.

“Yeah, the conversation was that we were really just having fun in the middle, and like I said, it was all about putting pressure on them because then, like I said, it’s difficult if we play our shots, then it is difficult for the bowlers. to be able to bowl consistently in that area and we have seen that if bowlers play in an area where it is difficult to defend consistently, then bowlers find it difficult to contain runs,” he added.

When asked how he rates this 90-run knock in his career, Gill said, “Yes, definitely one of my best knocks I have ever played in Test cricket. And leading up to this Test match it was all about I’m working on the areas that I was working on before the England series we played.”

At stumps on day two, New Zealand reached 171/9 to take a 143-run lead. Ajaz Patel and William O’Rourke will now go to bat on Day 3, looking to further extend New Zealand’s lead.

India have a tough chase ahead of them on the turning wicket and will have to see if senior all-rounders Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli step up after a poor series with the bat.