Shubman Gill says that India go into the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand with a balanced attitude.
“Once you get one title, that breaks the jinx and it gives you the momentum and you are not very desperate about getting the title,” he told reporters on the eve of the summit clash in Dubai.
“It is not good when desperation kicks in, it’s hard to put the occasion out of the equation.
“In all these big matches, the players and teams that can put aside the pressure and the occasion out of the game has a better chance of winning it.
“I think winning the title in 2024 doesn’t mean we are less hungry but I think it makes us more balanced – yes, we have won an ICC title and we will do our best to win this one.”
What bolsters India’s push for winning their third Champions Trophy title, Gill reckons, is their power-packed batting.
Describing it as the best India batting line-up he has ever been part of, powered by seasoned campaigners in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Gill broke down why India’s batting has been well rounded of late.
“The depth we have offers freedom to the top order. We used to struggle earlier when we didn’t have as much depth. There was pressure on the top order.”
Shubman’s own batting performances this tournament began well with an unbeaten 101 against Bangladesh, followed by 46 against Pakistan. Against New Zealand and Australia, however, he did not make it out of single figures. However, he said he would not change his approach for the final.
“It’s about me being in my zone. That is the hallmark of my game, I take risks at the right point when I feel the bowler is under pressure. Most of my batting is instinctive, I don’t pre-plan, I don’t play any shots that are pre-planned, I see the situation and I see when is the right time to put the bowler under pressure.”
The 25-year-old also opened up on the learnings in his new role as India vice-captain, describing himse a communicator and a facilitator.
“When you are with the team as a player, obviously you have responsibility as a fielder, as a player. But when an added responsibility is given to you, it’s very important for me to know how other players are feeling in the team, if they are thinking the right way.
“We have a lot of young players in the team. The experienced players have done the same things over and over again. My role in the team is to make sure the young players are thinking the right way when they are under pressure.
“You can fail even when you’re thinking the right way, but your probability of success increases. That’s my role, to keep chatting with the young players, to keep chatting with the bowlers when they are under pressure, to keep reminding them of our plans.”
