Want to show I deserve national call-up: Shubman Gill

A day after he got a national call-up in India`s T20I team for the tour of New Zealand, Gill smashed his maiden century in the format to power Punjab into the semifinals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy here.

“It`s an important milestone for me, especially when it has come at the Eden,” the former Kolkata Knight Riders batter said after his career-best 55-ball 126. Punjab won the match against Karnataka by nine runs.

“Especially as an opener when you spend time on the pitch and make runs, it gives a lot of confidence,” Gill said. Reflecting on his selection for the T20Is, Gill said: “It is a good feeling to get selected for the Indian team in any format. Now I have to show that I deserve this chance.” Gill mastered the conditions at Eden Gardens and toyed with the Karnataka attack after getting a reprieve on 34. “On this pitch, you find seam movement early on during the powerplay.

Later, it becomes easier to bat. “I made a mistake in the previous match and went for a big shot instead of waiting for the right time. So, I wanted to take my time. Feels good to have executed the plan well,” he added.

Even as India struggle with K L Rahul`s indifferent form in the ongoing T20 World Cup, the 23-year-old Gill has been in great nick, having scored a maiden international century — 130 — in an ODI against Zimbabwe recently. He was also in superb form in county cricket and scored his first century there for Glamorgan.

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