Shubman Gill Says He Was Not ‘Targeting A Hundred’ While Defending His Nagpur ODI Dismissal

Shubman Gill, India's star batsman, has defended himself after being dismissed for 87 runs off 96 balls in the first One-Day International against England on Thursday, February 6, at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.

England had opted to bat first after Jos Buttler won the toss and posted a below-par 248 runs. Phil Salt (43) gave a good start to England, adding 75 runs for the first wicket with Ben Duckett. Then Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell hit half-centuries to stem the fall of wickets.

Gill and Iyer led India's recovery

However, Indian bowlers hit back beautifully as they didn’t let the England batters go big in the last 10 overs and despite Jofra Archer’s 21* with a few lusty blows, England could only manage a decent total. For India, debutants Harshit Rana and Ravindra Jadeja picked three wickets each.

In reply, India opened with Rohit Sharma and debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal. But both the batters were back in the hut for 19 runs.

Then Shubman Gill, batting at no.3, and Shreyas Iyer began counter-attacking the England bowlers during the powerplay and after that. The duo added 93 runs before Iyer got out for 59 runs in 36 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes.

Shubman Gill continued after Iyer and added 108 runs with Axar Patel, who made 52 before being cleaned up by Adil Rashid. Shubman Gill neared his century, but played a false shot and got out 87 runs in 96 balls with 14 fours to his name.

I was trying to dominate the bowlers: Shubman Gill on his dismissal

Shubman Gill, India's ace hitter, has justified himself after being dismissed for 87 runs, saying he would have played the same shot if the team was 50 runs away from the mark rather than 14.

Gill's remarks came after he holed out to Jos Buttler at mid-on off Saqib Mahmood in the 37th over. The bowler produced a short delivery, and the right-handed hitter moved outside leg but was limited in space, hit high on the bat, and the ball looped towards Buttler, who made a wonderful diving catch.

“I was not targeting a hundred, and I was trying to dominate the bowlers. I would have played the same shot if 40-50 runs were needed to win the match. It feels good when you win matches for the country,” Gill told Star Sports.

Gill lauds Shreyas Iyer

Gill praised India's Shreyas Iyer for his counterattack in the first ODI against England. The reply came after the two put together a 94-run third-wicket partnership.

“He was playing his shots, and that allowed me to play sheet anchor role. It is better to take a back seat when the other batter is in that type of mood. When he departed, I decided to take the matter into my hands,” Gill added.

The second ODI between the two teams is scheduled to be played in Cuttack on Sunday, February 9.

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