Shubman Gill's century shines amidst concerns, reflects on pressure, performance in red-ball cricket

Sports News: Star India batter Shubman Gill has openly acknowledged his struggles with red-ball cricket in recent times, despite showcasing his talent with a remarkable century for Punjab during their Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka. Gill scored an impressive 102 runs, displaying his versatility with a total of 14 fours and three sixes. Unfortunately, his efforts were overshadowed as Punjab was bowled out for 213 in their second innings, resulting in a heavy defeat by an innings and 207 runs.

Battling Self-Imposed Pressure

Reflecting on his recent performances, particularly after a disappointing Test series against Australia, Gill expressed concerns about his approach to red-ball batting. He admitted that he often feels the weight of expectations to convert good starts into substantial scores. "Red-ball batting is a concern. Sometimes, I think with the red ball, in the matches that I play, I get very good 25-30 runs. I think in those moments, sometimes I put too much pressure on myself to be able to score big runs," he shared with PTI.

The Quest for Focus

Gill elaborated on how this self-imposed pressure can detract from his natural game. "There is a certain zone that I am in, certain intent that I am in and sometimes I think I lose that because I put too much pressure on myself that I have to get big runs now that I am set. I think in those crucial moments, I sometimes lose my focus and concentration," he noted.

Recent Performance and Future Aspirations

In the recently concluded Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Gill's performance was below par; he managed only 93 runs across three matches (five innings), averaging just 18.60 with a highest score of 31. His struggles led to him being dropped from the playing XI for the fourth Test in Melbourne. As he aims to regain his form ahead of the crucial Champions Trophy 2025 next month, Gill has been appointed vice-captain of the team, adding to the urgency of his return to form.