Didn't expect Jamieson would reverse the ball so early, failed to read it: Gill

Gill, who scored 52, looked in good touch before Jamieson got one to curl back in and it bowled the India opener lock, stock and barrel during the post-lunch session

Shubman Gill’s troubles with the gap between bat and pad aren’t new. On Thursday, they resurfaced, and the Indian opener admitted that he didn’t pick the reverse swinging delivery from Kyle Jamieson.

Looking as aesthetic as ever, Gill cruised to his fourth fifty in his ninth Test match, it was an innings laced with characteristic punches and back-foot slaps to the midwicket region on the opening day of the opening Test against New Zealand at Green Park in Kanpur.

Gill once again looked primed for his maiden century. And once again, he made a mess of it. Jamieson got a delivery to dart in after landing on a length and Gill, playing for the one which moves away, heard his stumps clatter as he held his pose on the defensive push.

“I’m guilty of not reading the conditions well,” he said in the post-day conference. “I didn’t expect the ball to reverse that early in the innings, it was soon after lunch. But that’s what Test cricket is about, I need to be prepared for such challenges.”

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Among those in the Indian dressing room, few players have had as much time under coach Rahul Dravid as Gill. Besides being coached at the Under-19 level, Dravid also oversaw Gill’s progress with the India A side.

“It’s an advantage to have worked with him for many years, even at the NCA (National Cricket Academy), and now to be playing under him for the senior team is huge for me,” said Gill.

“We spoke generally and he has always been about motivating me, and in general it feels great to have played under someone for so long. There’s a certain ease to the relationship.”

On the New Zealand side of things, all wasn’t good with Tim Southee. “Yeah, he has had a bit of a groin niggle, but I think he’s alright. He is a champion bowler and to come out and bowl the way he did was inspiring,” said Jamieson.

Jamieson, who finished the day with figures of 3-47, said the spinners can’t be blamed because the pitch didn’t offer them too much assistance.

None of the three spinners - Ajaz Patel, William Somerville and Rachin Ravindra - looked like they were even close to picking up a wicket. There was some turn and even variable bounce, but Jamieson reckoned it not enough.

“They bowled in good areas, but the pitch isn’t doing much right now. It should open up a bit more tomorrow so you can expect them to have an impact then”.

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