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Aug 03, 2023

From IPL to Test mode: Shubman Gill details WTC challenge

Emerging India star Shubman Gill knows he will need to be at the top of his game

Emerging India star Shubman Gill knows he will need to be at the top of his game if he is able to replicate his form at the Indian Premier League during the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia.

Gill was in scintillating touch for the Gujarat Titans at the IPL this year, with the right-hander smashing three centuries to be the tournament's leading run-scorer with 890 runs at an average just shy of 60.

That breakout IPL season comes on the back of his record-breaking ODI double-century against New Zealand in January and Gill is emerging as the new face of India cricket in all three formats.

Gill's focus is currently on helping India go one step further than in 2021 and claim a first World Test Championship Final at The Oval this week and the confident young batter knows he has to move on from the highs and lows of the IPL and adapt quickly to playing in the neutral English conditions.

"It does give you a bit of confidence (from the IPL), but I feel this is a completely different scenario and a completely different game," Gill told the ICC at The Oval on Sunday.

"But that's the fun about it. Last week we were playing something completely different with a different atmosphere and that is the challenge and that is what is exciting about Test cricket."

Gill was part of India's side that lost the inaugural World Test Championship Final to New Zealand, with the stylish batter managing scores of just 28 and eight as the Black Caps registered an eight-wicket triumph in Southampton.

India have the chance to gain some redemption for that loss in London this week and Gill said his side had learnt plenty from the disappointing defeat against the Kiwis.

"We have been talking about some of the things we have learnt as a team and especially as a batting group from playing that match," he said.

"Hopefully we will be able to overcome the mistakes we made last time."

Experienced No.3 Cheteshwar Pujara looms as a key piece of the puzzle for India this week and the veteran believes his side is extremely well prepared for the contest.

While many of his teammates were away at the IPL with their respective teams, Pujara was busy acclimatising with yet another spell with Sussex in the second division of England's County Championship.

Pujara managed to score three centuries while amassing 545 from eight innings during his stint and the 35-year-old expects to be able to translate that form into the clash against Australia.

"We have had very good preparation so hopefully this time we will cross the line," Pujara told the ICC.

"Most of the guys have played enough cricket here and some of them have played County cricket too.

"And you need that experience...we know each other's strengths and we have played a lot of cricket against Australia as well so we know what to expect from the opposition team."

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