Shubman savours return to Gabba

Facing fierce Australian pace on a bouncy Gabba pitch is among the toughest assignments a touring batter can face but India’s Shubman Gill will approach the task with a clear head in the third Test starting on Saturday.

Nearly four years ago, the Gabba was the proving ground for Gill’s Test career in the deciding fourth match of the 2020-21 series.

A callow, 21-year-old opener playing in just his third Test, Gill scored a brave 91 as an injury-depleted India chased down a record 328-run target for victory and sealed the series 2-1. Pugnacious wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was Player-of-the-Match for seeing India home with an unbeaten 89 but Gill was also hailed a hero in the subcontinent for his starring role in the thriller.

Little wonder Gill is glad to be back at the Gabba this week. “Definitely very nostalgic when I came here,” he said. “Just walking through the stadium again after the 2021 win felt very nostalgic. Definitely I feel pretty confident playing here.”

He said that captain Rohit Sharma had demanded more from the batters as a collective in Brisbane. “We are looking to post a big total first up,” said Gill. “We are a bit more used to playing with the red ball in the day.”