Shubman Gill's Mental Shift Ahead of Third Test Against England

India Prepares for Third Test at Lord's

As India gears up for its third Test match against England at Lord's, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has highlighted significant changes in skipper Shubman Gill's approach and mindset. He emphasized that the focus has been more on the mental aspects rather than purely technical adjustments.

Confidence Boost After Historic Win

Following a remarkable 336-run victory at Edgbaston, marking India's first win at that venue, the team heads to Lord's with renewed confidence. The match is set for Thursday.

Gill's Impressive Performance

Gill is currently in exceptional form, leading the run charts with 585 runs in the series, including three centuries. His standout performance at Edgbaston featured a marathon innings of 269 runs off 387 balls, complemented by a swift 161 in his next outing.

Mindset Over Captaincy

In a press conference, Kotak clarified that Gill's transformation is not solely due to his captaincy role but is largely attributed to his mindset. He noted, "I observed him during our initial practice match in Australia and throughout the series in India. His current mindset allows him to take his time at the wicket, and he has made tactical adjustments. His skill enables him to convert loose deliveries into boundaries, scoring 100 runs in 140-150 balls."

Improved Away Test Average

Before this series, Gill had struggled to surpass the 40-run mark in overseas matches since his memorable 91 at Brisbane in 2021. However, his away batting average has surged to 43.36, a significant increase from 27.53.

Mental Focus Key to Success

Kotak remarked, "It's primarily a mental shift, along with some technical tweaks. The determination I've witnessed in Gill's batting is evident. In the first game, he was dismissed for just eight runs due to an early shot. However, in the subsequent Test, he showed restraint and did not play any risky shots until he was settled at the crease."

Conditions at Lord's

Regarding the pitch conditions at Lord's, Kotak mentioned there is a "little bit of green" present. He added, "We will have a clearer picture after the final cut is made the day before the match. Historically, the scores in the first and second innings at Lord's tend to be lower, suggesting that bowlers may receive additional assistance."