'I sometimes lose my focus and concentration' - Shubman Gill on his red-ball performances

Shubman Gill marked his return to Ranji Trophy in the Round 6 clash between Karnataka and Punjab, which was played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Notably, the India vice-captain was given the mantle to lead the Punjab side in the four-day fixture against the home team Karnataka.

Although, Punjab faced a heavy defeat in the game on the Day 3 itself, it was their captain, Gill, who absolutely stole the show with a brilliant century in the second innings. However, the ton came in a losing cause, orchestrated largely by some shambolic first innings' deficit and left-handed batter R Smaran's double hundred for the Mayank Agarwal-led side.

This knock marked Gill's return to form in red-ball cricket, having faced a lean patch in the New Zealand series, followed by the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. As a result, Gill, confident with the way he got some runs under his belt, opened up on the way he looks at his batting in the format, and how he tends to provide longevity to his innings.

“Red-ball batting is a concern. Sometimes, I think with the red ball, in the matches that I play, I get very good 25-30 runs. I think in those moments, sometimes I put too much pressure on myself to be able to score big runs. I think that is not the way that I have grown up playing my game," Gill said, as quoted by NDTV. 

“There is a certain zone that I am in, certain intent that I am in and sometimes I think I lose that because I put too much pressure on myself that I have to get a big run now that I am set. I think in those crucial moments, I sometimes lose my focus and concentration. I think it keeps you in the game all the time. As a person, I like to be involved in the game and what is happening. I think it brings out the best in me as a player when I am constantly involved in the game,” Gill added. 

Also Read: Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Shubman Gill century in vain as Karnataka reign supreme over Punjab

Speaking more about the Round 6 tie, Karnataka, fresh off their Vijay Hazare Trophy win, went all guns blazing at the visiting side, garnering a massive victory by an innings and 207 runs. Smaran, for his magnificent 203 off 277 deliveries, was adjudged the Player of the Match against Punjab.