Indian vice-captain Shubman Gill ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand at Dubai Cricket Stadium assured that the team is focused on winning and not retirement rumours. Gill highlighted contributions from central figure like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli praising India’s batting strength. Gill also noted pitch stability despite the heat while dismissing any talk about retirement of Rohit Sharma.
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During interaction with media on the eve of the final Gill dismissed any off-field distraction, stating that there is no retirement talk in the dressing room. Instead, the team is fully focused on clinching the title after an unbeaten run in the tournament. Gill expressed his excitement regarding of playing in his second ICC final and highlighted the team’s dedication to go one step further than they did in the ODI World Cup 2023, where they fell short at the last hurdle.
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“Very excited for my second ICC final…will try to do what we couldn’t do last time (2023 World Cup),” Gill told.
Throughout the ICC Champions Trophy, India’s batting lineup has been a control force, with supports from all central players.
“This is the best Indian batting lineup I have been part of. All-time greats Virat [Kohli] bhai and Rohit [Sharma] bhai. Rohit Bhai is one of the best openers, Virat bhai is an all-time great. We have so much depth in our batting – KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer – everyone,” Gill told.
About the pitch conditions for the final, Gill noted that surface of pitch is expected to remain consistent with how it has played throughout the tournament, despite the hot weather.
Gill added “The pitch is not going to behave differently. Irrespective of the heat, It will play like it has in the tournament so far,”
Gill clarified “No discussion in the dressing room or with me. Even Rohit bhai would be thinking about the Champions Trophy final, like all of us. So nothing like that now,”
