Champions Trophy: Shubman Gill confident as India face Pakistan in high-stakes game

Dubai: In the intense atmosphere of an India-Pakistan clash, where every moment holds the weight of history, Shubman Gill is ready to lead India’s charge with an aggressive brand of cricket.

India has embraced a high-risk, high-reward style of cricket under coach Gautam Gambhir, and with each passing game, the strategy is proving its worth. After some initial setbacks, the Men in Blue dominated England, sweeping the Twenty20 series 4-1 and securing a 3-0 victory in the One-Day Internationals. Now, with the stakes even higher, Gill and his teammates are determined to carry that aggressive spirit into their showdown with Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

“The ideal approach on any wicket is first to assess the conditions and see how the wicket is playing,” Gill said on the eve of the match. “Definitely, we want to play aggressive and positive cricket, but that depends on the wicket we play on. Usually, we try to get 15-20 runs more than the par score.”

An India-Pakistan match is no ordinary contest. It’s a battle that grips millions, testing players’ mental strength as much as their skill. The roar of the crowd, the relentless scrutiny, and the sheer magnitude of the occasion make it a game like no other.

“India-Pakistan has a long history. It’s an exciting contest for both teams, and everyone enjoys watching it. If so many people are happy to watch the match, then who are we to say that it is underhyped or overhyped? We go there to play cricket. Our effort is to play for the team. My goal is to represent my country and win with all my heart,” Gill said.

Pressure has brought out the best in Gill, who has flourished in his role as vice-captain. Since taking on the added responsibility, he has scored two centuries and two half-centuries, further cementing his importance in the Indian set-up.

“I don’t really think about that responsibility when I’m going out there as a batsman. While fielding, I have a talk with the bowlers to make sure that they are thinking the right way. It’s not easy for them, especially the fast bowlers due to the heat. Rohit has given me the responsibility to just have a word with them, see what they’re thinking, and if they’re thinking right. We as a team always have certain game plans that we try to follow throughout the match, and I just make sure that they are following those game plans,” he said.

Gill played a crucial role in India’s win over Bangladesh in their opening match, and he is aware of the expectations as India faces their arch-rivals. However, he doesn’t believe the pressure is as intense as in a final.

Gill and Rohit Sharma have formed a formidable opening partnership, and their contrasting styles make them a challenging duo for bowlers. Against Pakistan’s fiery pace attack, they will once again need to set the tone at the top.

“I think the way we play the game in the powerplay is quite different from each other. Rohit likes to play more aerial shots and try to hit those big sixes, while I like to play along the ground. And in between, if I feel the bowlers are under pressure, then I take my chances and go over the circle. I think that’s the hallmark of us as a pair because we score boundaries with different shots. The bowlers really have to think about which areas to target for us because the areas that we play our shots in are different,” Gill explained.

Gill knows that the team that handles pressure better will emerge victorious, but he remains unfazed by the occasion.

“It is a big match, but I think the biggest match would obviously be the final that the team plays. And definitely, we have been playing some good ODI cricket, and by no means are we going to take Pakistan lightly. It is important for us to bring our A-game on Sunday.”

With India fully committed to their aggressive approach, the stage is set for a thrilling contest. Pakistan will test their resolve, but if Gill and his team execute their plans with the same confidence they’ve shown in recent weeks, another statement victory could be on the horizon.