Ind Vs SL: Shubman Gill Speaks On India Captain Rohit Sharma's Support

The Punjab-based batter had a decent 2022 in the white ball format where he collected 638 runs from 12 innings at an average of 70.88 with the help of his maiden century and four fifties.

Shubman Gill in action.

Source : Getty

India’s talented young opener Shubman Gill is happy that he has got full support from skipper Rohit Sharma. Also, the team management has backed him to play his natural game in the first ODI against Sri Lanka. Gill scored 70 from 60 balls in the first ODI on Tuesday.

"It feels good when your captain backs you. This was the conversation we had in the practice sessions that I would look to play my natural game whatever I'm doing in the one-dayers. Just look to continue the momentum," Gill said at the post-match media interaction.

The Punjab-based batter had a decent 2022 in the white ball format where he collected 638 runs from 12 innings at an average of 70.88 with the help of his maiden century and four fifties.

"We batted mainly in the Tests. It's nice to bat with him. the conversation generally which bowler to target, what are they trying to do, where are they trying to block our runs. Accordingly, we make our plans."

Shubman missed out on a century as Dasun Shanaka scalped him in the 20th over.

"Definitely, I was very disappointed to get out on 70. I did all the hardwork to get going and get a big one for the team. I got out in the 20th over, I had about 30 overs to bat." 

"I don't think bowling is a concern, we bowled pretty well. We got them eight down on that wicket and there was dew as well. It was not easy bowl when you are bowling second with that much dew."

"It's not easy to control the wet ball. Sometimes the spinners can go out of the game but that did not happen in this match.

"Both Yuzi (Yuzvendra Chahal) bhai and Axar (Patel) bhai bowled really well. It's a challenge to field as well, sometimes the balls skids off the field and it's hard to catch the ball because it's wet. It's like playing with butter in your hands. it's not easy to bowl when there's dew."

"We are continuously checking areas and aspects where we can improve on. We are working on that. No batsman likes to play dot balls.

"But sometimes you have to see the game situation... if the game situation doesn't demand you to play too many high-scoring shots (like when) two wickets have gone down, as a batsman you (need to) have that confidence that I'm playing the dot balls but can cover up the runs later. But yeah that is one area we are continuously trying to improve."

Gill also praised speedster Umran Malik and said, "It's always fun and challenging to face Umran at the nets. I'm someone who likes to face pace, so there's always a bit of challenge facing Umran at the nets."