Reflecting on previous work prior to England series proved pivotal in this knock: Gill

Gill expressed his satisfaction with his performance in Test cricket, stating, "Yes, it's definitely one of my better knocks. Leading up to this Test, I focused on refining the areas that I had been working on before the England series." Gill shared these thoughts during the post-match press conference.

“In that series, I was batting at my best against spinners and just to be able to go back into that mindset and what my positions were while playing spinners, that is what I was trying to replicate before this match in practice.”

“The conversation with the coach was just having more repetitions on what I think is the best idea for me to be able to play spinners,” he added.

Gill credited having a clear mindset while batting in pressure situation on a turning track at the start of day two worked well for him.

“I was honestly trying to have fun. I love batting, if I try to think of it as just going out there and having another opportunity to bat for the maximum amount that I can, that is what I was thinking,” he said.

“I was not trying to put too much pressure on myself thinking I have to score these many runs. I was trying to have fun in the middle and enjoy that moment, even if it was difficult.”

“Because you don't get to play that many Test matches. I just feel when I'm batting there, if I would put too much pressure on myself, then I'm losing out on the fun of the art of batting,” he said.

Gill said putting pressure on the New Zealand bowlers was an approach that worked well during his partnership with Pant.

“When you put the bowlers under pressure, it is difficult for them to bowl in that area consistently and that's what we talked about,” he said. H credited Pant for releasing pressure on him.

“The way Rishabh came in and started hitting those boundaries, in that particular session they were not very consistent with their line and length so that's how we were able to cash in.”

Gill said he emphasizes on knowing when to use the sweep and the reverse sweep shots.

“You play these shots to move the fielders out of their place — the fielders that are in the catching position,” he said.

“Yesterday I played sweeps and the fielders where I wanted the gaps, For me, it's all about having those shots, but playing them when I know is absolutely necessary.” India suffered “a bit of panic” at the end of opening day but “one good partnership” of 70-80 runs on third morning should see the hosts through, said Gill.

“Yesterday, yes, there was a bit of panic, definitely,” Gill told media after stumps on Day Two after his 90-run knock helped India take the lead.

“But this is what Test cricket is all about. There are moments where you think everything is rattled and then there are moments like we came this morning and we had a great first hour, hour-and-a-half,” added Gill, who shared a 96-run stand with Pant for the fourth wicket.

With India looking to bowl out New Zealand and chase a target under 150, Gill said the team would need one partnership to get over the line.

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

“That is what the conversation will be among the batters, to have one good partnership. For the fielding team, once there is a 70-80 run partnership when you are chasing 150, the body language of the opposition also drops,” he said.

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