Shubman Gill Admits Losing Focus in Red-Ball Cricket After Scoring 25-30 Runs
Indian batsman Shubman Gill has candidly acknowledged that in red-ball cricket, he often loses focus after scoring 25-30 runs. In a recent Ranji Trophy match, where Gill smashed a century for Punjab, he reflected on his struggles to convert starts into big scores, shedding light on the mental challenges he faces in red-ball cricket.
Gill’s Honest Admission Post Century
After Punjab suffered an innings and 207-run defeat to Karnataka, Gill spoke openly about his challenges with focus in longer formats. “I often feel that after scoring 25-30 runs, I lose my focus. It happens because I start thinking about converting the start into a big score, and that builds unnecessary pressure,” said Gill.
Despite failing in the first innings, Gill displayed resilience in the second innings, crafting a brilliant century. However, his efforts fell short as Punjab couldn’t recover from Karnataka’s dominance.
Struggles with Concentration
Gill elaborated on his mindset:
“I think I tend to put too much pressure on myself after a good start. The thought of scoring big sometimes takes me out of the game mentally. In those critical moments, I lose my concentration. Staying involved in the game and maintaining intent is what brings out the best in me as a player.”
Gill also emphasized the importance of being in the zone while batting:
“When you’re in that zone, staying there as long as possible is vital. During my century, I focused on maintaining that rhythm, and it paid off.”
Performance Abroad and Recent Revival
Gill’s recent admission follows a challenging stint in Australia, where he managed just 93 runs in six Test innings at an average of 18.60. After being dropped from the Boxing Day Test and missing the Perth game due to injury, his struggles had raised questions about his consistency.
However, his century against Karnataka is a much-needed boost. Reflecting on the knock, Gill said:
“This inning was satisfying for me, especially after the first innings where I scored just 40 off 130 balls. The wicket had assistance for bowlers, and they were bowling well. Post-lunch, I decided to play more shots, ensuring I made an impact while wickets were falling from the other end.”
Learning to Stay in the Zone
Gill emphasized that runs at any level are crucial for a batsman’s confidence:
“Scoring runs, irrespective of the format or opposition, helps restore that sense of confidence. Staying in the zone is crucial, and I tried to do that while batting.”
The 23-year-old believes that being mentally engaged in every moment of the game can elevate his performance and help him overcome this hurdle in red-ball cricket.
