IND vs NZ: "I Didn't Do Well Up To My Expectations In T20Is, But You Gave Me Confidence"- Shubman Gill's Touching Tribute To Hardik Pandya

Shubman Gill, the top young player for Team India, put up an outstanding effort as he reached 126 undefeated in the last T20I of the series against New Zealand on Wednesday.

India achieved their highest-ever win by a margin of runs in the format since for his outstanding performance in the series finale, which helped India secure a massive 168-run victory in the game. At the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India bowled the visitors out for just 66, winning the series 2-1.

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I Was Eager To Do Well: Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill, who scored 126*, the highest score by an Indian in a T20I innings, was the game’s standout after smashing 12 fours and seven sixes on his way there. However, Gill had not had a smooth transition into the format; after playing in India’s inaugural T20I against Sri Lanka in the new year, the 23-year-old opener had only scored 76 runs in five games.

There were suggestions to replace Gill with the potent Prithvi Shaw, but Indian captain Hardik Pandya, who also serves as Gill’s team captain for Gujarat Titans of the Indian Premier League, remained confident in the right-handed opener. Gill praised Pandya and the team management for supporting him throughout the difficult beginning of the game after the game.

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“I didn’t do well up to my expectations in T20s. So I was eager to do well. You gave me the confidence before the match. Before I went to the game, you told me match se pehle ki jaise main khelta hu vaise hi khelo (before the match, you asked me to keep faith in my game).

Vo chhoti chhoti cheez help karti hai (those small things help) when I know I don’t have to do anything extra, or anything that’s not me. that helped today. The way I practice, the way my dad made me practice, I think 90 percent credit goes to him,” Gill told Pandya in a post-match chat.

Shubman Gill Recalls Hardik Pandya’s Advice During Time In The Middle

Gill also remembered how, during their time at the bat during the third T20I, Hardik Pandya consistently held the former’s aggressiveness in control.

“To be able to play how I play, I’ve to be very mentally clear. That’s what you told me. Every time I hit a six, he (Hardik) came and told me hold your shape. You don’t have to do anything extra. Don’t try to go too hard. Every ball, he kept reminding me. Especially in the last over against Santner. I was in the zone, I was hitting.

I thought maybe I will go for him. But you told me to hold myself back, and to target the other bowlers. Because he had been bowling well. Tactically and technically, it was a near-perfect game for me,” said Gill.

Also Read: IND vs NZ: India Defeats New Zealand In A Historic T20I Series Victory

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