‘Boss, Just Carry On, You Are Sorted'- Vikram Rathour's Reveals A Conversation With Shubman Gill That Blew His Mind Away
Published - 26 Jan 2021, 07:53 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:40 AM
Indian batting coach Vikram Rathore and ace-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin have heaped high praise on the young opener, Shubman Gill, for his clarity of thought and confidence while revealing several conversations that they had with the 23-year-old during the course of the Test series.
When Shubman Gill came back to the dressing room unbeaten on 64 during the Lunch break on the final day in Brisbane, batting coach Vikram Rathore went to him to know what were the youngster’s plans against Australian fast bowlers. The hosts had started their short-pitch ploy against Cheteshwar Pujara and Shubman Gill in the closing stages of the first session.
“The clarity of his plans surprised me. If somebody bowls the short ball at this line and height, this is what I am going to do. If they bowl it from the end where the boundary was shorter, I will pull it for a six. He had all the answers, he knew what he was going to do. I had nothing to say to him. I said, ‘boss, just carry on, you are sorted.” Vikram Rathore shared on Ravichandran Ashwin’s Youtube channel.
After listening to Gill’s response, a satisfied Rathour walked back to where Ravi Shastri and the other coaching staff was seated. Shastri immediately asked the batting coach about what Shubman had told him.
”Did you tell him about the short ball, this phase is very important for us to get through” asked Shastri.
Ashwin takes the story further. “And you said, he said, if it’s below my height I will hit here – and I was blown away thinking somebody was able to pick length, height, line and then also have plans covered for it. That was unreal. I am a big fan of him but that was unreal to know,”
Shubman Gill did exactly what he had told Vikram Rathoure post the Lunch break. The young opener took on Mitchell Starc’s short-pitch ploy, smashing the fast bowler all over the park.
With Indian bowlers toiling away in a bid to dismiss Australia’s lower-order, Shubman walked up to Ashwin, requesting him to rap up the innings as soon as possible so that he can smash the required 40-50 runs within five overs.
“Ash bhai, Jaldi khatam kar do yaar! 40-50 runs hoga toh, mein paanch over mey khatam karoonga! (Please wrap up quickly. If it’s 40-50 runs to chase, I will do it in five overs!). I was like, ‘wow, this is unreal man. We have a debutant who is walking up to say ‘khatam karo, finish it’ and I will finish in five overs and that too in a Test match!” Ashwin revealed.
Despite being impressed with the youngster’s confidence, Ravichandran Ashwin preferred to stay in the toilet during India’s run-chase even as Shubman Gill and skipper Ajinkya Rahane went about overhauling the target with ease.
“We were two down for 20-25 runs and I told Mayank [Agarwal] to call me when we reach 65. I didn’t come out; I was there at the toilet only!” he added.
Also Read: Let’s Not Put Undue Pressure On Shubman Gill: Gautam Gambhir
