Having to miss out on World Cup obviously dampened the mood: Shubman Gill

Indian opener Shubman Gill admitted that missing out on World Cup dampened the team’s mood. After dominating throughout the World Cup, India lost the all-important final against Australia as they could not come up with a collective batting performance.

India was favorites to win the World Cup but they could not bring their best in the summit clash. Meanwhile, Gill scored 354 runs in nine World Cup matches at an average of 44.25 and a strike rate of 106.94 and thus played a key role in providing solid starts along with Rohit Sharma after missing the first two matches due to dengue.

Furthermore, it has been a fantastic year for Shubman Gill as he is the leading run-scorer in ODIs with 1584 runs in 29 matches at a brilliant average of 63.36 which includes five centuries.

“I think it’s been a great year for me but having to miss out on the World Cup obviously dampened the mood a bit, but fortunately, we have another World Cup coming up next year so we are all looking forward to it,” Shubman told CNBC-TV 18.

Gill said that the team will now turn its focus to the T20 World Cup, which will take place in the West Indies in June. Moreover, Gill is looking forward to Test series in tough conditions of South Africa and Australia.

“In the next one year, there is the World Cup coming, a very important Test series coming up in Australia, and I think this year is not over yet, we have the Test series, coming up in South Africa as well. I think the Test series in Australia and the South Africa series are going to be really big ones and those are the matches I am really looking forward to,” he added.

Meanwhile, Gill had lost weight after suffering from dengue and said he is still gaining. The youngster revealed he is working hard in the gym to get himself in best shape possible.

“I am still gaining, you know. I have been working in the gym for about two-three hours every day for the past 8-9 days. There is still a good eight days before we start the T20 series in South Africa, so hopefully by the time we start, I will be back to my best,” Shubman said.

Gill has been named in the T20I and Test squads for the South Africa series and has been rested for the three-match ODI series. The first T20I between India and South Africa will be played at Kingsmead, Durban on 10th December.