Shubman Gill has all the classical shots in his repertoire but time off due to a shin injury allowed him to work on his technique at the National Cricket Academy and he is ready to show his improvisation skills when he competes for Gujarat Titans in the upcoming IPL 2022.

The 21-year-old Shubman Gill, one of the batting mainstays of new IPL franchise, in an exclusive interview spoke on various subjects, including his strike-rate in T20 cricket, preferred batting position, World T20 and how he is a firm believer in “pouncing on second chances”.

Shubman Gill Confident That Gujarat Titans Will Do Well As A Team

Shubman Gill, who has played 10 Tests and 3 ODI matches for India, will be eager to leave his mark in IPL 2022, as a good outing in the IPL can open doors for the Indian team as well. He was a regular starter for Kolkata Knight Riders and his role with Gujarat Titans will be to provide a good start to the team.

“It will be a great challenge for me as Gujarat Titans is a new franchise and head coach Ashish Nehra and Gary Kirsten Mentor are great people to be around. I am confident we will do fine as team, ” said Shubman Gill on adjustments in playing for Gujarat after four seasons with KKR.

“I started my IPL career with KKR batting at numbers 6 and 7. It was the third year really, when I got to open the batting. If you ask me what I prefer, I would love to bat at the top-order but if the team wants me to do a different role, I game for that.” said Shubman Gill on flexibility in batting position.

“I did work on a couple of batting specifics at the NCA. I got the opportunity to work on my batting a bit and I have learnt a couple of new shots. I worked extensively on my technique with coaches at NCA.” said Shubman Gill on working on batting after long injury lay-off.

“As a player, I should be capable of playing any shot in the book and on some particular wickets, it’s difficult to hit bowlers down the ground. I am trying to learn more shots and how to be able to play all over the ground. You might see me play some cheeky shots in this IPL.” said Shubman Gill on shot selection.

” I feel as a player what’s most important for me is to do my job well for the team and I think if I am able to do well, then it is also doing well for myself. And if we (GT) go on to play the play-offs and reach the final, I might get a chance to play for India in WT20.” said Shubman Gill.

“I feel you have to close yourself from all the critics and do what the team wants from you. As a player, I should be able to play under any given situation. If my team wants me to bat at 160, 180 or even 200 strike-rate, I should be able to do that. But if my team wants me to soak in the pressure in a tough situation and wants me to go at 110 strike-rate, I should be able to do that as well, being flexible in all situations, ” said Shubman Gill on below par career strike rate of 124-plus being questioned by critics.

Shubman Gill remains one of the most promising openers in the league with 1417 runs in 58 IPL games. His strike rate may be relatively low but the specialist batter on the Gujarat Titans panel believes he’s got the ability to shift gears according to the team’s needs.

Shubman Gill Recalled Kolkata Knight Riders Comeback In IPL 2021 UAE Leg

Shubman Gill was roped in by IPL debutant Gujarat Titans for Rs 8 crore, as one of the three draft picks ahead of the mega auctions.

“What really motivates me when I am not able to perform is the next opportunity that comes along. I am always looking forward towards that next opportunity – both for myself and for my team, ” said Shubman Gill.

” During 2021, I had really bad first phase of IPL in India and also as a team, we hadn’t done well. But knowing that we have another opportunity to make a comeback, may be winning six out of seven games, that challenge motivated me,” said Shubman Gill.

KKR was lying among the bottom half of the table in IPL 2021. Kolkata Knight Riders had a disappointing leg in India where they picked up only two wins in seven games and finished in the seventh spot in the table by the time the season was suspended. But a stunning comeback in the UAE made them a title contender, before losing to CSK.