India vs Pakistan: Shubman Gill and his obsession for excellence

Shubman Gill in action against Pakistan (BCCI Photo)

Shubman Gill hadn’t scored in two games and as is the case with Indian fandom, incessant trolling had started. People were calling for his head and yet again it was being said that he did not deserve his opportunity in this T-20 unit. Against Oman, Gill was out to a beauty, which had come in and castled his middle stump. He needed to sort things out and get back into groove. With Pakistan next, he had little time to do so and that’s when he opted for an extra practice session 24 hours before the game. In fact, we were told that India wouldn’t practice on match eve having returned from Abu Dhabi real late into the night. Thereafter around 2pm local time on 20th September a message was sent by the Indian media manager mentioning an optional practice session in the evening.

It was Shubman Gill who had specially requested for it. As we reached the ICC academy for 6pm local time in the evening, Gill and Abhishek Sharma were about to hit the nets. For close to an hour it was an exhibition. First it was about getting his eye in. Thereafter Gill played some sublime shots including a few which literally landed on the roof of the building. He wasn’t holding back and the intent was visible.

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At the end of the training session Gill spent close to 45 minutes speaking to Head Coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. Perched on the ice box, it was an intense discussion ironing things out. By now we are used to these discussions having seen many of them take place in England during the five Test series. By the time he was done, he looked in a fine mood. As I wished him for the game, he was his usual warm and polite self and acknowledged the greeting.

The best part about Shubman Gill is his obsession for excellence. As I have said multiple times before, the result is not in one’s hands. The process and preparation is. And Shubman Gill made sure that he did not leave any stone unturned before turning up against Pakistan. The truth is it showed out in the middle.

Pakistan had scored 171, which by every yardstick is a good score in a high pressure game. But then with Gill and Sharma out there in blazing form, the total did not look the one it actually was. While Sharma was brute power, Gill was just sublime. Some of his shots were breathtaking and the one I’d like to single out is the late cut. Just as the ball was about to make its way to the keepers gloves did Gill bring his bat down. A gentle caress is all that was needed and in no time the ball had reached the third man boundary.

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Every shot was played and in doing so Gill shut every troll up who had questioned his place in the team. Like I have said before, Shubman Gill is a gun player and is here to stay for years to come.

Pakistan is done with. Now with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to follow, India will need Gill to continue. Having seen him from up close, I’d happily bet on him.