India allrounder Ravindra Jadjeja praised youngster Shubman Gill after India finished Day 2 at 96/2, trailing Australia by 242 runs. Gill was responsible for providing the visitors a solid start after Australia were bowled out for 338 in the first innings. Coming out to open, Gill and Rohit Sharma took India’s total to 70, before the latter was dismissed for 26 by Josh Hazlewood. But Gill carried on went on to register his maiden fifty in the longest format.
The right-handed batsman was dismissed for 50 by Aussie speedster Pat Cummins, but he built a perfect platform at the top for the Indian batsmen.
Jadeja, who picked up four wickets in the day, and also got rid of Steve Smith with a sensational run out, lauded Gill’s technical abilities at the virtual press conference at the day’s play.
“I think, he is technically very sound. He has the temperament to play long innings. It’s good that he got a start today, the 70-run opening partnership with Rohit. It’s a good sign for India and hope he comes good in the second innings as well,” Jadeja said
Speaking on the wicket at SCG, the left-arm bowler added: “Wicket was very slow and I wasn’t getting any turn from the wicket. So it was important to pitch the ball at one place every time.
“I wanted to bowl in good areas as our fast bowlers were doing the same. My plan was to not leak runs and create pressure on the batsman and for Smith, my approach was to not give him some easy runs,” Jadeja signed off.
The 21-year-old and Rohit Sharma (26 off 77 balls) added 70 in 27 overs but more importantly set the stage for skipper Ajinkya Rahane (5 batting off 40 balls) and Cheteshwar Pujara (9 batting off 53 balls) to cash in on the batting-friendly conditions on the third day.
It was Gill’s maiden Test half century in just his second match.
