Need to get better at catching,converting starts: Skipper Gill

 

 

INDIA’S first-ever bilateral ODI series defeat at home against New Zealand was not just a statistical jolt but a moment of uncomfortable clarity, and skipper Shubman Gill did not hide behind the margin of defeat or missing personnel. “For me, it wasn’t that we didn’t bat well. It was that we didn’t bat long enough.

 

When batsmen are getting starts and they’re not able to convert those starts, especially in high-scoring matches, it becomes very difficult. At least two batters need to go on and play that long innings,” said Gill after the 41-run defeat at Holkar Stadium. “That was the difference between them and us.” “Jaddu bhai was looking in good touch with the bat. But it wasn’t just him.

 

I don’t think any of our batsmen were able to consistently convert the starts we were getting. On pitches like these, if you don’t make those starts count, you’re always chasing the game.” “We dropped some catches at very important stages of the game. On wickets like these, bowlers are trying to force chances, and when those catches don’t stick, it’s not easy.

 

No one drops a catch intentionally, but it’s one area we really have to improve.” Gill backed his seniorRohit Sharma’s intent and approach. “He has been in very good form.” “You won’t always be able to convert the starts you get. As a batsman, you always want to make it into hundreds, but that doesn’t happen every time. That’s impossible. What’s important is that the intent and rhythm are there.”

 

Amid the disappointment, Gill highlighted a positive that could shape India’s future ODI balance — the rise of Harshit Rana as a lower-order batting option. “Batting at number eight is a very important position for us. All the top teams in the world bat really deep. “We want to give opportunities to players who can strengthen that depth, and Harshit is someone who is constantly improving his batting.”