Shubman Gill opens up on not converting starts after scoring Ranji Trophy century against Karnataka

India’s Test number three Shubman Gill has opened up on not converting his starts despite getting settled at the crease. Gill feels he puts a lot of pressure on himself to get a big score once he gets his eye in but he hasn’t been able to handle the situation.

The Punjab captain scored a gutsy knock of 102 runs off 171 balls against Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy clash at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. The right-hander’s knock went in vain as Punjab suffered a ignominious loss of an innings and 207 runs.

Meanwhile, Gill recently scored only 93 runs in three Test matches against Australia at an average of 18.60. Gill returned with scores of 31 and 28 in the second pink ball Test at Adelaide but failed to convert his starts into substantial scores.

“Sometimes, I think with the red ball, in the matches that I play, I tend to get a very good 25-30 and, in those moments, I sometimes tend to put too much pressure on myself to be able to convert those,” Gill said in Bengaluru. “That is not the way that I have grown up playing my 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 a big run now that I am set. I think in those crucial moments, I sometimes lose my focus and concentration.”

Gill added the century against Karnataka was very satisfying for him as played with patience when the team was on the back foot.

“I think this innings was very satisfying for me, the way I played. The first, I think, in 130 balls, I scored 40-odd runs, and they were bowling well and there was some help in the wicket as well. So, keeping that in mind, I think I was very satisfied with the way that I was playing. After the lunch, I just thought to play a little bit more of my shots. Also, the wickets were falling from one end. So, I wanted to make sure that I am getting some runs as well, playing some shots.”

Gill would look to carry his form in the ODI series against England. The first ODI between India and England will be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur on 6th February.