Shubman Gill was pleased with the 104 runs he scored on Day 3 of the ongoing second Test between India and England in Vizag, but he also admitted that he could have scored more runs on this pitch.
“Definitely very pleased but I left a bit out there, to be honest,” Gill said after the day’s play.
He missed out on a big score in the first innings, as he was dismissed for 34. In the second essay, Gill survived a leg-before decision early into the day’s play against Tom Hartley. After consultation with Shreyas Iyer, he reviewed the call and was surprised to find a faint nick.
In the very next over, Gill was hit on the pads again, this time by James Anderson. It was very close, but the batter survived on umpire’s call.
“The first one I didn’t feel it (inside edge onto the pad). Shreyas told me to take it, in case it’s umpire’s call. I saw the point fielder going there and I thought it was a percentage shot. Should have just played the 5-6 overs till tea,” Gill said.
Despite India being bowled out for under 300 in the second innings, he believes that the Vizag pitch is still “decent” to bat on. The right-handed batter thinks it’s important for a batsman to apply himself here.
“Pretty decent wicket to bat on. Not an easy kind of a wicket to hit on the rise. Have to apply yourself because the odd one is turning, and the odd one is keeping low,” noted Gill.
After being bowled out for 255, India set England a target of 399 on Day 3. In reply, England finished at 67/1, with 332 more runs to win. Gill feels that the game is in India’s grip, saying that the morning session will hold the key for the Indian bowlers.
“I think it’s 70-30 at the moment. The morning session will be the key. We have seen there is moisture in the morning and help for fast bowlers and spinners,” Gill explained.
Anderson, on the other hand, feels that India’s dominant position in the game masks a vulnerability, pointing to a second-innings collapse that saw them lose six for 44 to finish at 255.
“They were quite cautious, even when they had a big lead. The chat last night from the coach was that if they get 600, we were going to go for it,” said the England great.
Meanwhile, Joe Root took a blow to the finger during Sunday’s warm-up and another one while fielding at slip in the morning session, forcing him off the field for treatment. He remained on the sidelines for the majority of the day.
On the chances of Root batting tomorrow in the run-chase, Anderson said: “His finger isn’t great. Hopefully, he will turn up at the ground and be OK to hold a bat. He has been looking after it, making sure he is doing everything he could to help us out in the second innings. We will need everyone, I think.”