Srinagar: India young opener Shubman Gill has said that it is little difficult to adjust against a pace attack when you don’t play against them regularly.
In the rain affected group match of Asia Cup 2023, India batters struggled against Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah. To counter and prepare against Shaheen Afridi, India has roped in left arm throw down specialist.
“When you are playing at this level, you play left-armer pacers previously at some point in your career. We do not play Pakistan that much as compared to the other sides. They have a quality bowling attack. When you do not face such a bowling attack frequently and are not used to it, it makes a difference,” Shubman Gill said in a pre match press conference.
India will be taking on Pakistan in a Super 4 clash on Sunday in Colombo.
Gill said that he was also banking on the left-arm throw-down specialist Nuwan Seneviratne to dish out an improved show against Afridi, and in general against Pakistan quicks.
“Definitely (training has helped). He (Nuwan) has been travelling with us for the last 7-8 years. It is nice to have that variation. We have that right-arm specialist (Raghu), the side-arm specialist (Dayannd Garani) and the left-arm specialist. It does help in any conditions that you play,” added Gill.
Gill then explained why the Pakistan fast bowlers are making such an impact.
“They are very different fast bowlers and they have their own specialities. Shaheen gets the ball to swing a lot. Naseem is all about pace and likes help from the wicket. They present different challenges in different conditions,” said Gill.
Gill said that Indian batters will have to dominate, unlike last time when the top order was blown away for 66.
“As openers, we need to make a good start and dominate them from the beginning,” Gill said.