India’s star batter Shubman Gill is ready to draw on the painful lessons from the 2023 World Cup defeat as he gears up for the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand on Sunday, the ICC Cricket website reported.
Reflecting on India’s near-miss in the 2023 World Cup, where they fell short of glory after a stellar campaign, Gill believes those experiences will shape his approach in the high-stakes final. India’s dream run — winning all nine group-stage matches and dominating New Zealand in the semi-final — ended with heartbreak when Australia’s Travis Head stole the show with a match-winning innings in Ahmedabad.
As India prepares for another shot at an ICC title, Gill, the world’s number one-ranked ODI batter, hopes to provide a steady start and ease the pressure on the middle order. His calm and composed presence at the top could prove crucial in the tournament decider.
“Obviously, some nerves in that match. (I learned) a lot of things. It was my first ICC Final … I was very excited,” Gill said, reflecting on the 2023 final.
Determined to approach the game with more patience and control, Gill acknowledged the importance of pacing his innings in knockout matches. “I think in big ICC knockout matches, you can give yourself a little bit more time than you think,” he noted.
With India carrying the momentum of their 2024 T20 World Cup victory, Gill is confident the team is in a strong position heading into the final. “It’s going to be a really exciting game for us, and definitely, if we are able to win this one, it would be a great way to end this format this year,” he added.
As the Men in Blue prepare for yet another high-pressure encounter, Gill’s maturity and lessons from past setbacks could be the key to their success in clinching the Champions Trophy title.