Ahead of the highly anticipated third Test against Australia at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, Indian batter Shubman Gill expressed confidence, asserting that the new generation of Indian cricketers no longer feels intimidated by the reputation of Australian bowlers. Instead, they focus on technical aspects such as “bowlers and seam position.”
India’s Past Success and Current Momentum
The third Test, starting Saturday, follows a dominant 10-wicket victory by Australia in Perth, where exceptional performances by Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and a counter-attacking century from Travis Head brought the hosts back into the series.
However, India carries a significant psychological advantage. The last time they played at Brisbane, an injury-plagued Indian squad led by Ajinkya Rahane pulled off a historic win in 2021, breaking Australia’s 32-year unbeaten streak at the venue and clinching the series 2-1.
Gill on the Shift in Mindset
Reflecting on the transformation in the team’s mindset over the years, Gill remarked:
“Pressure? We have won the last four Test series against Australia. I don’t know why there should be any pressure on us.”
He emphasized that the current crop of players views bowlers in terms of their technical challenges rather than their historical reputations, thanks to the team’s recent successes both home and away.
The Essence of Long Series
Gill elaborated on the nuances of Test cricket, highlighting the strategic and mental battles that unfold in a multi-match series:
“In a long series, you might get out to the same bowler several times. The challenge lies in adapting and identifying your strengths and weaknesses. That’s the beauty of playing a long series—it’s not just skill but mental tactics.”
Personal Reflections on His Batting
Gill addressed his recent performances, where he scored 31 and 28 in Adelaide, noting areas for improvement:
“I felt good at the crease, but in the first innings, I was affected by what was happening at the other end. In the second innings, spotting the ball and its seam position was challenging. Despite this, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the crease.”
Squads for the Third Test
Australia Squad:
Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Brendan Doggett, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
India Squad:
Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.
Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal.
With the series poised at 1-1, the Brisbane Test promises an intense contest as both teams aim to gain the upper hand.