India batter Shubman Gill is focused on improving his Test performances, crediting his defensive game for his recent turnaround, particularly during the Test series against England earlier this year.
Gill, who currently averages 35.52 in Tests, made adjustments to his technique, especially against spin bowling, after recognizing the need for a stronger defense on turning tracks.
In an interview, Gill revealed that his main focus during the series against England was playing more defensive shots, emphasizing that batting on turning tracks requires solid defense before executing scoring strokes. He said, “If you’re playing on a turning track, you should be able to defend a lot more, then you play your scoring shots.” Gill’s work paid off as he scored a crucial century in Vizag during the second Test against England, finishing the series with an impressive average of 56.5.
Currently captaining the India A side in the Duleep Trophy, Gill is preparing for the upcoming series against Bangladesh (September-October) and New Zealand (October-November), which will be key in India’s preparations for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later in 2024.