SportsPosted at: Sep 27 2026 11:17PM


Gill identifies eighth batting option as key to India's ODI plans

Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 27 (UNI) India captain Shubman Gill on Sunday underlined the importance of finding an eighth batting option as the team looks to build the right combination ahead of the next 12 months, even as he praised Kuldeep Yadav's game-changing spell and Virat Kohli's attacking batting in the opening ODI against the West Indies.
Gill, who made a fluent 110 off 108 balls before being dismissed with India closing in on a comfortable victory, said he was satisfied with his innings but regretted not staying till the end.
"Honestly, when I got out, I thought I should have finished the game. Would have been nice to be there in the end. But yes, very satisfying innings for me," Gill said.
Asked about the three boundaries he struck early against Alzarri Joseph, Gill picked his front-foot drive as his favourite.
Gill also credited Kuldeep for pulling India back into the contest after West Indies' top order had threatened to post a huge total.
"We were a bit on the back foot, with their opening partnership and how their top order was batting, but he got us back in the game, got us crucial wickets in the game," Gill said.
"At one point it looked like maybe they'll get 340-350, but from there to restrict them to 300 was a tremendous effort from us."
Gill said Kuldeep's value becomes particularly significant during the middle overs, where his ability to take wickets can change the course of an innings.
"He's a wicket-taker for us and he's proved over again and again, and today as well," he said.
The India captain was equally effusive in his assessment of Kohli, who produced another commanding innings and continued to display an aggressive approach, including his willingness to clear the boundary.
"He's batting superbly, and I think he's enjoying the game a lot more, playing with freedom and enjoying the game. And I think those are the effects of his batting," Gill said.
"He always had the game, he always had the ability to clear the boundary at will, and I think he's doing that right now."
Gill said there was little need for him to interfere with a player of Kohli's experience, stressing that India's best interests were served by allowing the veteran batter to play according to the situation.
"Someone like him who's won so many matches for the country, who's done it over and over again, you just let him be, and you just want him to play however he feels like on the day, because when he plays well, he can win matches for you," he said.
Looking ahead, Gill said India would ideally like to have eight genuine batting options, with the No. 8 capable of making a meaningful contribution with the bat.
"Yes, ideally yes. We would want an eighth batting option, someone who can contribute at least 25-30 runs," he said.
Gill pointed to India's inability on several occasions to convert strong positions into imposing totals as the reason for the emphasis on the lower-order batting depth.
"We have seen many times we had been in good positions at 250 for 5, and then we weren't able to get scores that we wanted. So number eight becomes a crucial position for us," he said.
At the same time, Gill indicated that India would continue experimenting with combinations rather than locking themselves into one formula.
"But we are open to trying different combinations and seeing what works for us," he said.
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