Shubman Gill has claimed that his 60-ball 129 against MI in the IPL 2023 Qualifier 2 on Friday was probably his best innings so far in the competition.
Gill was in supreme touch in Ahmedabad in the knockout clash as the 23-year-old put the Mumbai Indians bowlers to the sword. Gill, who started the day with 722 runs to his name on the back of two hundreds and four fifties this season, was chasing Faf du Plessis, who was the holder of the Orange cap with 730 runs.
Gill went on to claim the Orange Cap and then started to play his shots freely and scored a well-made hundred and also crossed the 800-run mark for the season.
The GT opener hit seven boundaries and 10 sixes in his knock of 129 and that powered his side to 233 in their 20 overs. MI would eventually be bundled out for 171 and GT entered the final of IPL 2023 against CSK.
“For me, it is playing ball to ball, over to over. The over where I hit three sixes gave me the momentum to go big. That’s when I realised it could be my day. It was a good wicket to bat on as well,” said Gill.
When asked about his six-hitting prowess this season, Gill said that it wasn’t a conscious decision and was trying to keep reinventing himself as batter. The 23-year-old said that for him the belief was the most important thing.
“Not a conscious decision, you keep inventing as a batter but for me, the belief is more important. I am coming off a good international season as well. Had a good season last time as well. When I start well, I feel confident I can score well. From the last WI tour, I think I have shifted a gear, I got injured before the last IPL but I have been working on my game. I have worked on a few areas and made technical changes ahead of the NZ series after the T20I World Cup,” said Gill.
When asked about how he has been able to deal with expectations, Gill said that once he steps onto the field, he tries to contribute for the team. The GT opener signed off by saying this was probably his best innings in the IPL.
“Expectations are something that follow you outside the ropes, but once you step on the field it is all about trying how to contribute for the team. I think this was probably my best innings so far in the IPL,” said Gill.
