'There Was A Bit Of Panic': Shubman Gill's Blunt Take On India's Batting Collapse vs NZ in 3rd Test

IND vs NZ 3rd Test: After being dominated in the first two Test matches, India finally find themselves in winning position at stumps on Day 2 of the third Test match in Wankhede. New Zealand leads India by 143 runs in second innings, but only have one wicket remaining. With three days still remaining, India are the favourites to win the Test. 

However, big question lies over India's batting display in the series after team suffered another collapse in the third Test. Shubman Gill in his post match press conference confirmed that there is panic among the Indian batters which is leading to collapse. 

Shubman Gill gives his verdict on India's batting collapse

Shubman Gill steadied India's ship after the team collapsed at the end of day 1 by losing three wickets in the final 2 overs. Gill and Rishabh Pant put together a decent stand in the morning to send India on their way to the lead. Gill scored 90, while Pant scored 60. 

However, Shubman Gill has reacted to India's collapse and said, “Yesterday, yes, there was a bit of panic, definitely….The way Rishabh came in and started hitting those boundaries, in that particular session they were not very consistent with their line and length so that's how we were able to cash in". 

Gill further said that this was one of his better innings in Test cricket, “Yes, definitely it's one of my better knocks that I've played in Test cricket. In lead up to this Test, it was all about me working on the areas that I've worked before the England series that we played”.

Gill further revealed how he set himself up in practice to perform at his best. 

“In that (England) series, I was batting at my best against spinners and just to be able to go back into that mindset and what my positions were while playing spinners, that is what I was trying to replicate before this match in practice.” “The conversation with the coach was just having more repetitions on what I think is the best idea for me to be able to play spinners,” he added.

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Gill on India's potential chase

With India looking to bowl out New Zealand and chase a target under 150, Gill said the team would need one partnership to get over the line.

“It's all about one good partnership. When you are chasing a total which is around 150-160, if you have one good partnership of 70-80 runs, the match is done and dusted,” he said.

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“That is what the conversation will be among the batters, to have one good partnership. For the fielding team, once there is a 70-80 run partnership when you are chasing 150, the body language of the opposition also drops,” he said. 

(With PTI Inputs)