The historic Gabba Test victory in 2021 will always be remembered as one of Indian cricket’s greatest successes on foreign soil. The win ended Australia’s 32-year undefeated record at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.
Shubman Gill’s knock of 91 runs on the final day of the famous Gabba Test set the tone for India’s victorious chase of 328 in the fourth innings. In an interview with GQ India, Gill recounted how the Aussies celebrated Rohit Sharma’s wicket as if the job was already done.
“It was as if they [Australians] knew the procession had started. They celebrated casually. Ho gaya kaam–types [As if their work is done]”, Gill said.
The 22-year old stated that when he made his Test debut, one of his main concerns was whether he would be able to manage the pace of Australian pitches.
“As a youngster making your debut in Australia, the biggest doubt in your mind is whether you will be able to hand the pace,” he added.
“My idea was to attack Starc” – Shubman Gill
Gill also revealed his plan of attacking Mitchell Starc on short deliveries, taking into account the short boundaries at the leg side. The idea was to take advantage of the pace that the speedster offered.
“He [Starc] and Cummins were bowling short at us and my idea was to attack Starc. If you go back and watch that innings again, you will notice that not once did I pull Cummins. The pull shots were off Starc, keeping in mind the shorter square boundary from that side.”
“I felt that even if I got a top edge, it would clear the fielders and get me boundaries because he was bowling at good pace. The end from which Cummins was bowling had a much bigger boundary,” Shubman Gill concluded.