Ahmedabad, Oct 1 (UNI) India opener Shubman Gill today said it is “very important” for India to perform well in the two-Test series against West Indies, following the team’s 3-0 whitewash at home by New Zealand in their previous red-ball series.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of the first Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Gill said the team is focused on “hard, grinding cricket” rather than looking for easy options.
“We are looking to play some good, hard cricket. In recent years, most Tests in India haven’t gone the full five days. But if you look at our England tour earlier this year, all five Tests went into the final day. That is the kind of cricket we want to play – patient, resilient, and competitive,” he said.
Gill emphasised the team’s ability to handle pressure and turn situations around. “We have the skills to dominate in any kind of situation, and the talent in our squad allows us to come back from challenging positions. That is what we will focus on,” he added.
On the pitch and conditions, Gill said India would aim for balanced surfaces that provide opportunities for both batsmen and bowlers. “I can’t speak about conversations before I came, but we would be looking to play on wickets that offer something to both batsmen and bowlers. In India, spin and reverse swing are the main challenges for visiting teams. If teams can play spin well and handle reverse swing, they can succeed,” he explained.
The Ahmedabad pitch, two days ahead of the first Test, appeared greener than usual, leading to speculation about team composition. Gill said, “In England, Kuldeep Yadav, a proven wicket-taker, didn’t get a chance to play, which was unfortunate. Here, with four quality spinners available, there is always the temptation to adjust the batting depth and weigh options carefully.”
Regarding fast-bowler workload management, particularly Jasprit Bumrah, Gill said no pre-decided plan exists. “We will take decisions on a match-to-match basis, depending on the duration of the Test and how many overs our fast bowlers bowl. Nothing is pre-decided. We will decide once the Test is over and see how the players feel,” he clarified.
On his own readiness, having recently switched from red-ball cricket in England to T20 cricket in the UAE and back to Tests in Ahmedabad, Gill said the challenge was more mental than physical. “For a batsman, it’s not physical fatigue but mental focus. I feel fresh and ready. I am just concentrating on what I need to do this week and next,” he said.
The first Test of the two-match series between India and West Indies is scheduled to begin at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad tomorrow.
