India vice-captain Shubman Gill said that they're not going to take Pakistan lightly during the highly anticipated clash between the two teams in the Champions Trophy 2025. India are coming into the game having won their first fixture against Bangladesh while Pakistan lost their opening game against New Zealand and are in a do-or-die situation.
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00:00Shubman, you have been in terrific form in ODIs, but after getting the vice-captaincy
00:15I think it's only improved your batting.
00:19So responsibility has got the best out of you?
00:22Sir, I don't think vice-captaincy has changed anything.
00:26When I'm batting out there, I want to still play as a batsman because I feel that's what
00:33brings the best out of me.
00:35So whenever I'm batting out there, I'm just playing however I would play irrespective
00:38of if I'm the vice-captain or not.
00:41With so much spotlight on this match, India-Pakistan, how do you see this match, you know, the mindset
00:50of the team and how do you go into this?
00:54It doesn't change anything for us, honestly.
00:56We play every match to win the match and this is no different for us.
01:01And this is how we prepare for any match that we play.
01:06So that's how we are going to prepare for this one as well.
01:10Shubman, you have batted the most here last day.
01:14Tell us a little bit about this wicket.
01:16Is it that the dew is not falling?
01:18As you go forward in the innings, the ball is gripping a little and it's making it difficult
01:23to bat.
01:24If you could tell us a little bit about the wicket.
01:26Yes, sir.
01:27The dew didn't fall that much in the last match.
01:31So definitely, when dew doesn't come from under light, it's not that easy to bat on
01:36slow wicket.
01:37It's not that easy to rotate the strike.
01:40I think whatever matches we play here, the key will be that whichever team is good here
01:46in the overs from 11 to 40, whichever team rotates well in the middle, has a better chance
01:51of winning.
01:52Shubman, Rohit has been saying all along that they want to continue the brand of cricket
01:58that India has played during the World Cup, the high risk, high gain kind of cricket.
02:02But looking at this wicket, do you see, first of all, was it surprising to see this kind
02:07of, because we have played a lot of cricket over here, this wicket looks a bit slow.
02:12And also, on this point of pitch, what is the ideal approach as a batting unit for you guys?
02:18Sir, the ideal approach on any wicket is first to assess the conditions and see how the wicket
02:25is playing.
02:26And generally, when you play, we were lucky that we went to field first, so we got a bit
02:31of an idea how the wicket is playing.
02:34And as a batsman, your skill is renowned by knowing how well you can assess any situation
02:42or condition that you are playing in, and that's what we try to do as batsmen.
02:46Definitely we want to play aggressive and positive cricket, but that also depends on,
02:51the score would be different on every wicket that we play.
02:54So 300 on this wicket or 280 on this wicket would be a very good score for us.
02:59Or if the wicket plays any differently, we might get 350 or 360 runs.
03:04So we don't have any particular target set in our mind.
03:08We usually go out there, see how the wicket is, and then try to get 15-20 runs more than
03:14what the par score we think that is on that wicket.
03:17Hi Shubman, I think you've got eight One Day Hundreds, one of which is a double century.
03:23But looking at that last innings, given the magnitude of it being India's first Champions
03:27Trophy match, it's a condensed format, there are three matches.
03:30The conditions, as you already mentioned, how much personal satisfaction did that innings
03:34give you?
03:35Because it was a different situation, you had to recalibrate, not a big target, but
03:39a tricky situation, wickets kept falling.
03:42How much pleasure did that give you as compared to the other 700s, including a double?
03:47Definitely one of my most satisfying innings that I've played.
03:50As you said, the Champions Trophy format is like that, the margin of error is generally
03:54very low.
03:55If one or two matches go up or down, there's a lot of pressure on you, and then all the
03:59matches become a do-or-die, must-win game.
04:02We had a period in between, I think, of 8-10 overs, where there was a bit of pressure on
04:09us as a batting group.
04:11But I think in that phase, it's very important that you lose as few wickets as possible,
04:16and don't take too many risks, because the target wasn't that big for us.
04:20If we were chasing 270-280, then I think we would have played a little differently.
04:25Even if the wickets had fallen, we would have had to take a few chances, but because the
04:27target wasn't that big on that wicket.
04:29So those 8-10 overs in the middle, we tried to rotate the strike as much as we could,
04:35take less risks.
04:36And then in such a situation, when there's a partnership of 40-50 runs, then there's
04:41more pressure on the bowling team, because they have to take wickets.
04:44Then they try and there are boundaries.
04:46So that was our plan.
04:48You made a century against Bangladesh, and you intend to make a century against Pakistan
04:54because you couldn't score much in the T20 World Cup.
04:57When the T20 World Cup was held in 2023, you couldn't score much against Pakistan.
05:02Sir, we want to score 100 in every match.
05:05So definitely, if we get a good start in this match, we will try to play long.
05:10If any batsman is set, we will try to play long.
05:14Shumal, you and Rohit have had several good partnerships at the top of the innings.
05:19It's almost like watching two different matches at the same time with him on one side
05:23and you on the other side.
05:24What is it that makes you guys tick the way you have?
05:27And what kind of an impact does it have when you see him bat the way he does?
05:32I think the way we play the game in the power play is quite different to each other.
05:38Rohit bhai likes to play more aerial shots and try to hit those big sixes.
05:45And I like to play along the ground.
05:46I like to pierce those gaps.
05:48And in between, if I see the bowler is under pressure, then I take my chances and go over the circle.
05:55And I think that's the hallmark of us as a pair.
05:58Because we score boundaries with different shots.
06:03And the bowlers really have to think which areas to target for us
06:08because the areas that we play the shots are different to each other.
06:14The format of the Champions Trophy is different.
06:18For you guys, if you win, the door to the semi-finals opens.
06:23And for them, if you lose, it's a do or die match.
06:27What is the difference?
06:28Or is it that the team that plays well is under pressure?
06:32Yes, the team that handles pressure well has a better chance of winning.
06:40In the 50-over format, sometimes we feel that we have to take on the game.
06:48But once a batsman is out, he realizes that he had a lot of time.
06:54In the 50-over format, we don't get to play as many matches as we do in the T20 and Test matches.
07:03So I think it's very important that whatever decision you make,
07:07you make it with a very balanced mind.
07:11And make sure to look at the scoreboard once if you're trying to take any extra risk.
07:16But generally, as a batsman, our instinct is to follow a tempo and keep playing at that tempo.
07:26Shuman, thank you very much.
07:28Tomorrow is going to be a big day for Pak-Bharat.
07:32What role can a toss play in tomorrow's match?
07:36And how big of a target do you think will be safe?
07:40I honestly don't think a toss will play a big role.
07:44Because we've seen that the dew hasn't come that much.
07:46If the dew comes, then a toss is very important in a 50-over match.
07:52Because if the dew doesn't come, then I think it won't make that much of a difference.
07:57But in any big match, if the dew doesn't come,
08:03then the team that's batting later has a little more pressure on them.
08:09So the team that handles the pressure better will have a better chance of winning.
08:15Shuman, after the Australia tour, did you sit down and think where you went wrong?
08:20You were in good form going into the tour and after that, you bounced back.
08:25What effort did you put in?
08:28What was your mindset?
08:30Which areas did you work on going forward?
08:35Sir, as such, I don't think there was any flaw in the batting in Australia.
08:41Because of that, we didn't get a run.
08:44But definitely, sometimes there is a mental aspect.
08:48We focus a lot on batting.
08:52And we think that if we don't get a run, then there will be a flaw in batting.
08:55But it's not necessary that there is a flaw in batting every time.
08:58It's possible that there is a flaw in something else.
09:02So I didn't do anything special.
09:06But I knew that the white ball is one day and then T20.
09:11So it's a long time.
09:12So the normal practice that I do when I go home, that's what I'm doing.
09:17Shuman, there is a very good record of Pakistani pacers on this wicket.
09:20Is there a particular bowler that you will see through?
09:24Sir, there is no particular bowler.
09:26But there is a day for every bowler.
09:28Like there is a day for every batsman.
09:30So on that day, the one who is bowling well,
09:32the one who we should play with a little less risk,
09:35I think we will assess that on the match.
09:50What's the effect that it has on you?
09:52Obviously, the oppositions and bowlers, you're in a battle together.
09:56How does that affect the way that you approach the game when he gets those fast starts?
10:01Nothing at all actually.
10:02It doesn't affect me at all.
10:03I think Rohit Bhai has got his own style.
10:05And if at all it helps me to get in my own groove
10:08and how I like to go about things.
10:10And yeah, it's a delight to watch him from the non-striker end.
10:13And we have had some really good partnerships over the past couple of years.
10:18And it's a delight to bat with him all the time.
10:20Shubhmin, it was a big ICC event.
10:23Before this, Jaspreet Bumrah's injury and being out of the squad,
10:28how much has it affected you?
10:31And what do you think, how important was he for this event?
10:36Sir, any player who has been a part of the team for so long
10:39and is doing so well for the team,
10:42there is a bit of a setback that he is not a part of the team.
10:47And definitely as a team we were disappointed.
10:50But you have to choose your best options.
10:54And I think apart from that, whatever options we had available,
10:58we did our best.
11:00And Harshit came in his place and he is doing really well.
11:03Shubhmin, good luck for tomorrow.
11:05Shubhmin, we didn't spot Rishabh Pant in the team huddle today.
11:08So just wanted to check if everything is alright with him.
11:11And secondly, you had mentioned when you took over as Gujarat Titans captain
11:14that your captaincy mostly happens more off the field when you talk to players.
11:18Now that you are part of the leadership group,
11:20what are the kind of conversations, if any, you are having with players
11:23who are not part of the 11 plans right now?
11:26Firstly, Rishabh is down with viral.
11:28That's why he didn't come for practice.
11:30And secondly, the conversations that I have with players off the field
11:36it's important, you know, players who are not playing
11:39to be able to keep them in a good mindset
11:42and always keep them ready for whenever they get the chance.
11:45And those are the kind of conversations that I have with them
11:49whenever I get the chance or if I see if someone is
11:52you know, feeling a little low or lacking in something.
11:56So I talk to them and have those conversations.
12:00Shubhmin, Team India has been playing really well for quite some time now.
12:04You have also defeated England at home.
12:06A lot of cricket experts think that the Pakistan team
12:08is a little weak compared to India
12:10and they over-hype the India-Pakistan match.
12:12Do you think this is over-hype?
12:16Sir, over-hype, under-hype, I don't believe anything like that happens.
12:21India-Pakistan has a long history.
12:24So it's an exciting contest for everyone
12:27whenever both the teams play.
12:29So everyone enjoys watching it.
12:32So if so many people are happy to watch the match
12:35then it's under-hype or over-hype.
12:40Who are we to say anything?
12:42We go there to play cricket.
12:45We try our best to play for whichever team I play for
12:48and represent my country.
12:50We try our best to win.
12:53Hi Shubhmin, this is Satish from Gulf News.
12:55It's a follow-up question to the earlier leadership role.
12:59Since you took over as a vice-captain
13:02your performance on the field has grown better.
13:04What's the secret?
13:06How do you enjoy it?
13:10Whenever I'm on the field
13:12it's more so whenever we're out there fielding
13:15having that talk with the bowlers
13:17to make sure that they're thinking the right way.
13:21Bowling in that heat, it's not easy for them
13:24especially the fast bowlers.
13:27Rohit Bhai has given me the responsibility
13:30whenever I'm there at mid-off or covers
13:32to just have a word with them
13:33see what they're thinking
13:34and if they're thinking right.
13:35We as a team always have certain game plans
13:37that we try to follow throughout the match
13:39and I just make sure that they're following those game plans.
13:45Sir, batting performance
13:47I don't really think about that responsibility
13:50when I'm going out there as a batsman
13:52whenever I'm playing there
13:54I just want to play as a batsman
13:56and do the best for my team.
14:01Tomorrow is the biggest match of this Champions Trophy
14:04and against Pakistan is always a big event
14:07India-Pakistan match
14:08and you know the history of the Pakistan
14:10Pakistan can make surprise every time
14:13they have lost three matches against New Zealand
14:15in a series
14:16and tomorrow against India
14:18how do you rate the tomorrow match
14:20Pakistan can make a surprise
14:22how will you deal the pitch
14:25against Bangladesh
14:26the pitch was slower in the second session
14:28so how are you going to rate it?
14:30Firstly, sir, I think it is a big match
14:32but I think the biggest match
14:33would obviously be the finals
14:35that the team plays
14:38and definitely
14:41we have been playing some good ODI cricket
14:43and Pakistan unfortunately
14:45I think have lost some of the matches
14:46that they've played recently
14:47but by no means
14:49I think we are going to take them as a lesser side
14:52I think they've got a good side
14:55and it is important for us
14:56to bring our A game tomorrow
14:59Thank you