IND vs New Zealand: Shubman Gill says ‘It’s all about one good partnership… Match done and put away’

Latest update:Nov 2, 2024, 8:42 PM IST

Shubman Gill said that the Indian team would need one partnership to get past the limit and get a consolation win over New Zealand.

Shubman Gill said India can claim a consolation win against New Zealand on the third day of the third Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.

With India looking to beat New Zealand and chasing a target of less than 150, Gill said the team would need one partnership to clear the mark.

“It’s all about one good partnership. When you’re chasing a total of around 150-160, if you have one good partnership of 70-80 runs, the match is over and done with,” he said.

“That is what will be talked about between the batsmen to have one good partnership. As far as a fielding team is concerned, when there are 70-80 partnership runs, when you are chasing 150, the opponent’s body language also drops,” he said.

Although Ravichandran Ashwin admitted that chasing around 150 would not be easy.

“We have to wrap it up with a run or two here and there. Every run saved in this innings will be crucial for us as we chase it down,” Ashwin said.

“It will not be easy and we have to bat very well.

“I expected a lot more bounce and speed from this pitch in Mumbai. It was quite slow, which surprised me… It’s not a typical Mumbai performance.”

New Zealand won the opening match in Bengaluru by eight wickets for their first Test victory in India in 36 years, and wrapped up the series in Pune with a 113-run victory.

India last lost at home in 2000 when they lost 2-0 to South Africa.

India suffered a “bit of panic” at the end of the opening day but “one good partnership” of 70-80 runs on the third morning should help the hosts out, Gill said.

“Yesterday, yes, there was a bit of panic, for sure,” Gill told the media after he was cut on the second day after his 90-run knock helped India take the lead.

“But that’s what Test cricket is. There are times when you think it’s all broken and then there are times like (when) we came in this morning and had a great first hour, hour and a half,” added Gill, who was with Pants for the fourth wicket.

(With the help of agencies)

Cricket news IND vs New Zealand: Shubman Gill says ‘It’s all about one good partnership… Match done and put away’