India vice-captain Subman Gill refused to take Pakistan lightly despite the latter coming into the contest after a 60-run defeat to New Zealand in the first game.
“We have been playing some good ODI cricket, and Pakistan have lost some of the matches that they have played recently, but by no means are we going to take them as a lesser side,” said Gill on the eve of the contest. “I think they have a good side, and we must bring our ‘A’ game tomorrow.”
“I think it is a big match, but I think the biggest match would obviously be the final that the team plays,” he added.
The 25-year-old has started the tournament strongly, scoring a match-winning unbeaten century against Bangladesh and termed it as one of his best knocks.
“Definitely, one of the most satisfying innings I have played,” Gill remarked.
“In Champions Trophy format, if there’s a single bad match, then there’s a lot of pressure on you, and then all the matches become do-and-die. In the middle overs – for about 8 to 10 overs, we faced some pressure as a batting group, but it’s very important that in such a phase, you save your wickets and not take more risks because the target was not that high.”
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On his productive partnership with Rohit Sharma, Gill felt their contrasting styles put the pressure on the bowlers. “I think the way we play the game in PowerPlay is quite different from each other. Rohit (bhai) likes to play more aerial shots and try to hit those big sixes. I like to play along the ground and pierce those gaps. The bowlers have to think which areas to target for us because the areas where we play the shots are different,” said Gill.
When asked if being elevated to a leadership role has helped his batting form, Gill explained, “I don’t think vice-captaincy has changed anything. When I’m batting out there, I want to still play as a batsman because I feel that’s what brings the best out of me.”
“On the field, Rohit has given me the responsibility that whenever I am at mid-off or covers just to have a word with the bowlers and see what they’re thinking and if they’re thinking right. We as a team always have certain game plans that we try to follow throughout the match, and I just make sure that they follow those game plans.”