Shubman Gill plans to apply lessons from the 2023 World Cup final to help India secure victory against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final on Sunday.
Looking Back at the 2023 World Cup Final
India had a near-perfect World Cup campaign. The team won all nine group-stage matches and dominated New Zealand in the semi-final. However, in the final, Travis Head’s stunning performance led Australia to a six-wicket win in Ahmedabad. As a result, Indian players and fans were left heartbroken.
Gill’s Key Role in India’s Batting
Now, with another final ahead, Gill understands the importance of a solid start. If he performs well, he can relieve pressure on the middle order, which often faces challenges in high-stakes matches. Reflecting on his first ICC final, he said, “Obviously, some nerves in that match. (I learned) a lot of things. It was my first ICC Final … I was very excited.”
Learning from Past Mistakes
Previously, Gill felt rushed while batting in the World Cup final. Now, he realizes that patience is crucial in big games.
“(It felt like) I was losing time to dominate in that game. I think in big ICC knockout matches, you can give yourself a little bit more time than you think,” he admitted.
Since then, India has gained momentum. “We lost (the World Cup Final) in ’23 and then won the T20 World Cup (in 2024). So I think we have got good momentum going with us in this tournament,” he added.
Aiming for Champions Trophy Glory
Gill believes winning the Champions Trophy would be the perfect way to close India’s ODI season. “It’s going to be a really exciting game for us, and definitely, if we are able to win this one, I think it would be a great way to end this format this year,” he said.
Moreover, he acknowledges the expectations from fans. “It’s a very big opportunity for us, and in general, in any ICC tournament or any ICC event that happens, we have a lot of responsibility and a lot of pressure from our fans. And the last two ICC tournaments that we have played, we went on to (make the Final),” he explained.
Overall, Gill’s confidence and determination can help India secure another major ICC trophy.