NEWS
Follow UsIndia were ready to make amends for their seven-wicket loss in the first ODI when they were put into bat by New Zealand in the second ODI at Hamilton on Sunday. Captain Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill played 4.5 overs with 22 runs on board, when rain halted the match for more than four hours.
The match was readjusted to 29 overs per side before rain came back again with India at 89/1 after 12.5 overs. The umpires decided to call it a day after the rain did not relent for another hour.
It was a similar story to that of the T20I series where the first match was abandoned due to rain and the third match was declared a tie by DLS method after 9 overs were bowled in the second innings. India were fortunate then, but on Sunday, the wash out meant they trail New Zealand by 0-1 in the three match series.
The recent T20 World Cup in Australia saw as many as five matches being washed out, which cost multiple teams a chance to reach the semifinals. Some suggested that playing in indoor stadiums could be an answer to battle inclement weather. When asked about the same, Gill wasn't sure how to take a stand on the issue.
"It is something (playing in indoor stadiums) which boards have to decide on. Obviously, as fans and as players, its very irritating to see matches being rained out. I don't how I can take a stand on this. Playing indoors would be difficult but stadiums with roofs would be a good idea," the opener said in the post-match press conference.
Gill, who has become a regular fixture in India's ODI set up, has established his spot as Dhawan's opening partner whenever the other seniors have been rested. With 2023 ODI World Cup less than a year to go, the Punjab batter has made a strong case for his selection with 674 runs from 14 innings at 61.27, including 45 not out from 42 balls on Sunday.
However, he is not looking too much into the future.
"I'm not looking that far into the future. I'm just trying to make the most of the opportunities I have right now," he said.
Despite his form in the 50-over format, Gill has only been included in the Test squad for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh where India will also play three ODIs. Not getting game time in the Indian team isn't an issue for him.
"As a young player, if you get a break from the Indian team, we look at the domestic cricket, which is very strong. For an Indian player, it is not possible to go 2-3 weeks without playing somewhere," the 23-year old said.
When asked about his form not resulting in regular chances across all formats, Gill said: "Opinions of others, either good or bad, do not affect me when I walk into the middle. All it matters is where I want to hit the ball and get the runs."
Gill spoke about his form in the ongoing series, which he started by scoring 50 off 65 balls at Auckland and was close to a second fifty at Hamilton.
"In the last match, I felt that I can play a long innings. We thought of that in the team meeting as well. If one of us can play through the innings, it makes it easier of the new batsmen," he said.
Gill was also quizzed about India's conservative approach in white-ball cricket and if they should aim to score 400-plus scores in build up to the next year's World Cup.
"If you look at it, 400-450 scores happen probably once or twice in a year. I feel anything above 300 is a good score. Making 400-plus in every match is not achievable in my opinion," Gill replied.
India will look to level the series on Wednesday when they face New Zealand in the third and final ODI at Christchurch. Gill remembered his association with the venue, where he scored a match-winning 102 not out against Pakistan in the semifinal of the 2018 Under-19 World Cup.
"I have fond memories of Christchurch. We played Pakistan there (in the 2018 U-19 World Cup) and for India A there. Hopefully it doesn't rain there and we get a good match," he said.
