Shubman Gill joked that he was concerned for his bat as Rishabh Pant struck it hard during their partnership on Day 3 of the Chennai Test against Bangladesh. The 25-year-old clarified that he was trying to protect his old bat.
On September 21 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Gill and Pant both smashed hundreds on Day 3 of the first Test versus Bangladesh. While the former hit an unbeaten 119 off 176 deliveries, the latter scored 109 runs from just 128 balls. During their 167-run stand, both players would fist-bump and touch bats twice to create a routine.
In the post-match press conference after the third day’s play at Chepauk, Gill was asked to explain the rationale behind their quirky habit? The right-handed batsman replied:
“Nothing, I was telling him to not (do it) because I am playing with a bat that I played in the England series. So, my bat is quite old actually and he was hitting my bat so hard. I was telling him, you know… I was trying to save my bat actually. If he didn’t middle it, he would say, ‘let’s do it again’.
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Pant played his first Test match since the car accident in December 2022, which made the ton very special for him. On the other hand, Gill stated:
“I have spent a lot of time with him on and off the field. Watching him score his first fifty and first hundred after his comeback gives me so much pleasure because I have seen him work so hard for it. I think he also must be feeling really good.”
The 56th over of India’s second innings saw a return catch chipped by Pant to Bangladesh off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, breaking the partnership with Gill.
“It’s A Good Wicket For Batting” – Gill Anticipates Day 4 In Chennai
India is in a state of total authority in the Chepauk test match. After announcing their second innings at 287-4, they brought down Bangladesh to 158-4 by the end of day 3. The home team requires six more wickets for winning while their opponent has to earn additional 357 runs.
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When asked to evaluate the surface before the final two days of the Test, Gill responded:
“It’s a pretty good wicket to still bat on. The odd balls are turning, but I don’t think there is much happening for fast bowlers. As we saw in the first innings, there was a lot more happening for fast bowlers. Yesterday, it was pretty hot and the moisture went out of the wicket. We might see a little bit of turn if the sun comes out.”
On the third day ending of this initial Test between India and Bangladesh, Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 51 and Shakib Al Hasan played on five.
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