Colombo: Shubman Gill, the illustrious Indian batsman, has made it abundantly clear that Team India is fully committed to enhancing their prowess on sluggish pitches. In a heart-pounding clash during the final Super 4 showdown of the Asia Cup, India succumbed to Bangladesh by a mere six-run margin. Despite Gill's spectacular century, his fifth in the ODIs, the Indians fell agonizingly short of victory. The next highest contribution came from the versatile all-rounder, Axar Patel, who posted a brisk 34-ball 42, but couldn't stay at the crease to seal the deal.
In the aftermath of this nail-biting encounter, the 24-year-old Indian opener emphasized the critical need to fine-tune their batting on slow, treacherous tracks. With the ODI World Cup looming large on the horizon and an Asia Cup final clash with the formidable hosts, Sri Lanka, scheduled for Sunday, the stakes have never been higher.
"Undoubtedly, this is an area we are actively striving to improve," Gill declared during the post-match press conference. He elaborated, "Prior to this tournament, we had an intensive training camp in Bangalore, where we honed our skills on surfaces akin to what we've encountered here. As the World Cup progresses, we anticipate slower wickets, so it's imperative to adapt."
Gill also revealed that the Indian batting unit is diligently working on reducing the frequency of dot balls by enhancing their ability to rotate the strike efficiently.
When queried about India's approach against the formidable Bangladesh spinners, Gill elucidated that they were intent on playing the ball late. The triumvirate of Bangladesh spinners, led by the indomitable Shakib Al Hasan alongside Mahedi Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, scalped four vital Indian wickets, including the prized scalp of Gill.
Reflecting on his own performance, Gill candidly admitted that he should have steered the ship to victory and taken his team across the finish line. Nevertheless, he underscored the value of the 266-run chase as a valuable learning experience.
While Gill acknowledged that all-rounder Axar Patel took a few painful blows on his right hand during his batting stint, he downplayed any concerns regarding Patel's injury.
As the Asia Cup 2023 unfolds, the cricketing world awaits with bated breath to witness Team India's revamped batting prowess on the challenging, slower tracks.
Shakib al Hasan Confident for World Cup After Beating India in Asia Cup 2023
Asia Cup 2023 Marathon: 3 Days of Physical Prowess Against Sri Lanka
