Playing Pakistan was different: Shubman Gill opens up on pressure playing against arch-rivals

Indian opener Shubman Gill admitted playing against Pakistan was different in the ongoing Asia Cup. Gill meandered to 10 runs off 32 balls in the group stage match against Pakistan in the continental tournament and he was kept in check by the Pakistan pacers – Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah.

After the first rain intervention, Rauf was able to find the gulf between Gill’s bat and pad to hit the stumps. However, Gill was able to get the confidence against Nepal as he scored a fine knock of 67 runs off 62 balls in the second group stage match.

In fact, Gill was playing his first match against Pakistan at the top level but he looked a bit under pressure as he wasn’t able to hit the ground running.

“Playing Pakistan was different. It was my first time against Pakistan in senior cricket (Asia Cup league match). The pressure is slightly different (from other matches).

“But the pressure will be there no matter what game you play — whether it is against Afghanistan, Netherlands or Pakistan. We have the same level of nerves no matter what,” said Gill in a press conference on the eve of the Super 4 clash versus Pakistan.

Gill has been in top form in 2023 and he would like to deliver his best in the ongoing Asia Cup.

The youngster also opened up on his rough knock against Pakistan, “Sometimes, there are no technical factors and it is about bowlers being good. You can’t change something because you don’t perform in a match. You have to trust the process and game and take it forward,” said Gill.

The Indian opener added it is imperative to lay down the right foundation for a big score and thus it is crucial to give a good start to the team.

“You have to lay a solid foundation and that doesn’t change against any opponent. If you do that, you can build big scores. The last match, our middle order bailed us out and we still managed to get good runs,” Gill added.

Gill is going to hold the key for India along with Rohit Sharma in the Super Fours stage of the Asia Cup.