If there was any strategy at play, India kept it under wraps in the lead-up to the third Test at the Gabba. The pre-match press conference here on Friday, turned out to be a delayed venture, and when it finally happened, instead of skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir, Shubman Gill turned up.
Being a day of optional training, Gill was among the few, who practised. The Gabba is a venue of memories for the batter thanks to the stunning triumph registered here in 2021 and Gill did his part with a 91. “Just walking into the stadium again after the 2021 win, felt very nostalgic,” Gill said.
Asked about Rohit skipping the media interaction, Gill replied: “This was an optional practice session and I think he has practised enough.”
He then explained why Australia is a tough place to tour: “The intensity at which games are played here, especially Tests, is one of the most difficult things. Maintaining that intensity throughout the course of five days is what makes touring Australia so difficult. The conditions are challenging but there is a period between 30-35 overs and the second new ball, when it gets easier to bat. But you have to maintain mental intensity.”
Probed about his batting, Gill opened up: “I was feeling good. In the first innings (at Adelaide) I went into a shell and missed a straight ball. In the second innings, everyone was having difficulty in seeing the ball, in seeing the seam position. I couldn’t see the ball from the bowler’s hand because of the light and it is a pink ball.”
Gill was also sceptical about Australia’s short-ball tactics: “Leaving aside the tail-enders, they only got one batter out to the short ball, so I don’t know what success he (Pat Cummins) is talking about.”