After losing cheaply in Adelaide, batsman Shubman Gill stated Friday that India will score a huge first innings total in the third Test against Australia at Brisbane. The hosts scored 337 in the second day-night Test after winning the toss and batting. The visitors were bowled for 180.
India scored 175 in their second innings, giving Australia 19 to win.
“As a team, as a batting group, we want a big total first up,” stated Gill. “That was a significant discussion.
“Every batsman will have their own game plan, but as a group collectively we will try to get a big first innings score.”
After the Adelaide loss, which tied the five-Test series 1-1, skipper Rohit Sharma criticized the batting, particularly his own form.
“That is the disappointing part, that we didn’t bat well,” he remarked.
“Probably were 30-40 runs short with the bat in the first innings.”
Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul remained at number one while Rohit, who missed the first Test in Perth, played at number six in Adelaide. He did not address the possibility of playing opener in Brisbane at the regular pre-match captain’s press conference.
Gill explained Rohit’s absence by saying Friday’s training was optional.
“I think he practised enough,” he replied.
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah trained on Thursday and is expected to be okay after a minor groin issue in Adelaide. India may preserve faith in youthful seamer Harshit Rana. He missed a wicket in the second Test and Akash Deep may replace him. Gill is bullish about Brisbane despite being crushed by 10 wickets in Adelaide.
“We’ve won the last few series (against Australia),” remarked. So no worries. Maybe if we’d lost.”
