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Gill bounces back after England flop show

Published

2 years ago

July 28, 2022

admin

Shubman Gill was clearly under pressure after the England tour.

In the all-important 5th Test, Gill got out cheaply in both innings, scoring 17 and 4.

In fact, many netizens put the responsibility of India’s defeat on Gill and Kohli.

Naturally, Gill’s place was under scrutiny in the ODI series against West Indies.

How Gill fared

Gill underlined his quality in the best way possible – by making his bat talk.

In the 3rd ODI, his sublime 98 helped India beat West Indies by 119 runs and complete a 3-0 rout.

In a rain-affected final ODI, India scored 225 for 3 in 36 overs, thanks to Gill’s career-best knock.

Skipper Shikhar Dhawan (58 off 74 balls) offered him able support.

Dhawan and Gill added 113 for the opening stand, their second hundred plus partnership in the series.

In fact, Dhawan notched up his second half-century (58 off 74 balls) following his 97 in the opening game.

India were 115 for 1 in 24 overs when the first rain stoppage occurred.

However, once the play resumed, the Indians smashed 110 runs in the next 12 overs as Gill looked good for his maiden century.

Interestingly, we saw two different dimensions of Gill’s batting batted during the course of the innings.

Before the rain-break, he was more of an accumulator and showed the defensive solidity required of an opener.

Later, he transformed into an ultra-aggressive avatar as he destroyed the Caribbean attack with stroke play.

Later when it started raining again, the disappointment was writ large on Gill’s face as he was unable to complete his century.

Though he fell 2 runs short of his ton, nevertheless Gill will be happy to have scored 205 runs in three games. (64, 43 and 98 not out)

Gill was deservingly named Player of the Series for his outstanding consistency.

In the series opener on July 22, Gill had announced his intentions with a fluent half-century off just 36 balls.

In the process, he became the second youngest Indian to score a half-century in ODIs in West Indies.

Gill was 24 years and 3 days when he achieved this feat.

The youngest was Virat Kohli at the age of 22 years and 317 days.

This was an important knock as Gill was playing in his first ever ODI after December 2020, against Australia.

Gill and Dhawan combo

India’s success in the ODI series can be largely attributed to the Gill and Dhawan combination.

In all the three ODIs, they put India in strong positions and covered up for the deficiencies of the middle order, where Suryakumar Yadav was a weak link.

While there is a raging debate on the future of ODIs, Gill would be indebted to this series, which has reinstated his status in the 50-over format.

The best news for Indian cricket is that Gill’s confidence is back.

And when Gill is confident, his batting is a sheer joy to watch. When Gill’s mind is clear from the cobwebs of worry, his batting blossoms and we get to see a player who is capable of hitting any stroke in the book, even against the best bowlers.

For instance, every cricket fan will cherish seeing Gill hit those two effortless sixes off leg-spinner Hayden Walsh and the purest of off-drives off pacer Jayden Seals.

We hope Gill can capitalize on this series and become an integral part of Team India in all formats.

BIG NEWS

Janakpur Bolts Clinch Victory in Inaugural Nepal Premier League Final

Published

28 minutes ago

December 21, 2024

Maadhav

Nepal Premier League Final! Janakpur Bolts clinched the inaugural Nepal Premier League title by defeating Sudurpaschim Royals in a thrilling final. The Bolts showcased remarkable resilience, chasing down a target of 187 runs with five wickets in hand at the TU International Cricket Ground.

Sudurpaschim Royals, batting first, set a competitive total of 184 for nine wickets, led by Saif Zaib and Binod Bhandari. Zaib scored a solid 69 runs, while Bhandari added a crucial 41. However, their middle order failed to capitalize on a strong start, succumbing to disciplined bowling from Janakpur’s attack.

Kishor Mahato and Mohammad Mohisin starred with the ball for Janakpur, each claiming three wickets. Lalit Rajbanshi bowled an exceptional spell, conceding just 15 runs, including a maiden over. Their efforts restricted Sudurpaschim from posting a more imposing total.

In response, Janakpur’s Lahiru Milantha led the charge with a stunning 87 runs off 49 balls, including six fours and as many sixes. His innings anchored the chase, despite early pressure from Sudurpaschim’s bowlers. Aasif Sheikh, the Janakpur captain, played a vital supporting role, ensuring a composed finish.

This victory is a milestone for Nepali cricket, highlighting the league’s competitiveness and its potential to elevate local talent. Fans celebrated the intense final, hopeful for the league’s promising future.

CRICKET

Captains Gear Up for NPL Final Showdown

Published

11 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Maadhav

Captains Share Strategies Ahead of NPL Final

The stage is set for the highly anticipated NPL final between Sudurpaschim Royals and Janakpur Bolts at TU International Cricket Ground. Both captains expressed their excitement and shared their strategies during a pre-match press conference, building anticipation for the thrilling clash in the NPL Final.

Sudurpaschim Royals captain Dipendra Singh Airee stressed the importance of maintaining consistency and playing with determination. He assured fans the team was fully prepared to deliver their best performance. Airee highlighted teamwork as the key to their successful journey to the final.

Janakpur Bolts captain Aasif Sheikh reflected on their previous losses to Sudurpaschim but emphasized a strong mental approach for the final. Sheikh urged his players to focus on executing their skills under pressure and remain confident despite the challenges. He also acknowledged the significance of fan support, calling on supporters to cheer positively for both teams.

Both captains praised the contributions of Nepali players in their squads, emphasizing their pivotal role in the tournament’s success. They also encouraged a spirit of sportsmanship and appreciation for the growing standards of Nepali cricket.

The final promises an exhilarating contest as two formidable teams compete for the championship title. Fans can expect a captivating battle between Sudurpaschim’s consistency and Janakpur’s determination. The match is scheduled to start at 12:15 PM, with cricket enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the outcome.

CRICKET

Janakpur Bolts Secure Spot in NPL Final to Face Sudurpaschim Royals

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Maadhav

Janakpur Bolts in the NPL final! Janakpur Bolts defeated Karnali Yaks by two wickets in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Qualifier 2 to secure their spot in the final. Chasing a modest target of 119 runs, Janakpur overcame early setbacks and achieved victory in 19 overs, finishing with eight wickets down.

New Zealand batter Jimmy Neesham played a pivotal role, scoring a rapid 45 runs off just 17 balls. His innings included two fours and five sixes before being dismissed by Bipin Sharma. Contributions from Mayan Yadav (14 runs) and Sher Malla (16 runs not out) also proved crucial in the lower order.

Earlier, Karnali Yaks struggled to post a competitive total, managing only 118 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs. Gulshan Jha top-scored for Karnali with 25 runs off 20 balls, while Dev Khanal added 24. Janakpur’s bowlers, including Lalit Rajbanshi, Jimmy Neesham, and Muhammad Mohsin, each picked up two wickets to restrict the opposition.

Janakpur’s journey to the final wasn’t without challenges. They suffered a defeat against Sudurpaschim Royals in Qualifier 1, forcing them into this must-win game. Despite an unsteady start, with key players like Aasif Sheikh and Lahiru Milantha departing early, the team showed resilience under pressure.

The final, set for Saturday, will feature Janakpur Bolts facing Sudurpaschim Royals in what promises to be an intense battle. Both teams, having proven their mettle throughout the season, are eager to clinch the prestigious NPL title.