Shubman Gill on his comeback from dengue – ‘Lost a few kilos when I was ill, was disappointed to miss out on opportunities’

While a lot of expectations were placed on his batting form leading into the ICC Men’s ODI Cricket World Cup, Shubman Gill’s campaign wasn’t off to the best of starts. Laid low reportedly by a bout of dengue, the opening batter was forced to miss India’s first two matches of the tournament and was even doubtful for the Pakistan match.

But having made his comeback (and World Cup debut) in Ahmedabad, Gill has hit the ground running, notching up his first half century of the tournament. Speaking after the match against Bangladesh in Pune.

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“I think you have to be mentally willing to go out there and that’s what I was thinking when I was there. Lost a few kilos in the process but hopefully I’ll be able to gain that back,” Gill said in the post-match press conference as India chased down a target for the fourth time in the tournament with the batter scoring 53.

Gill added, “Obviously felt nice [to score his first World Cup half century]. When I was a little sick, I was feeling a bit disappointed on missing out on those opportunities, but definitely felt nice to get some game time.”

The 24-year-old also spoke about the impact Rohit Sharma is having at the start of the Indian innings, that has made it easier for the other batters. The Indian captain has been aggressive from the word go, making an impact in three out of four run-chases for India so far.

“Rohit has been batting exceptionally well and he’s been all guns blazing, especially while chasing. And I think that’s giving us the right momentum. And then it’s easier for the batsmen who are coming in when the run rate is around four or five in chasing,” Gill said.

Gill also spoke about what he is trying to learn from Rohit and Virat Kohli.

“To see them how they go about their business in World Cup and in big games is what I always try to learn from them,” the batter said. “I think there’s a fine line between sometimes being too aggressive or going in the shell, especially playing big games. But I think the way they play, the way their mindset is playing those big games in the World Cup is what I try to learn from them.”

Gill also said that India chasing targets well so far holds them in good stead as there were question marks aroun that aspect in the lead up to the tournament.

“Definitely, I think this is one of the things which was talked about, especially leading up to the World Cup, that we were not chasing that well, those big totals, but I think having won all the four matches while chasing, I think it’s a great way to have that momentum with us in those big games that we’ll have moving forward,” Gill said.

India next play New Zealand in a repeat of the 2019 World Cup semifinal in Dharamsala on Sunday.