The Border-Gavaskar Trophy continues to deliver high drama and heated exchanges, with Shubman Gill brushing aside comments made by Australian skipper Pat Cummins about the use of short-pitched bowling in the upcoming third Test at the Gabba.
Cummins, speaking in his pre-match press conference, hinted that Australia might revisit the short-ball strategy that yielded some success in the second Test in Adelaide. “It worked for us in Adelaide, so it’s always in the back of your mind as a Plan B when things get tough. For the tailenders, it looked like a wicket was very likely,” said Cummins, emphasizing their readiness to test India with short-pitched deliveries.
However, Gill, during his interaction with the media, appeared unfazed by Cummins’ remarks. The Indian opener responded sharply, stating, “As far as I know, only one batter apart from the tailenders has fallen to short balls in this series. So I’m not sure what success he’s referring to.”
A Shared IPL History and Banter
Interestingly, Gill and Cummins share a history as teammates at the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Recalling their camaraderie and past banter, Gill said, “Patty and I had a good bond at KKR. I remember he once said in an interview with the KKR management that they’d bring out the chin music against me. During a match, he kept bouncing me, and I kept leaving the deliveries. Later, in a press conference, I joked, ‘If they have their chin music, we know the dance moves to respond.’”
The playful banter didn’t end there. “During the game, he kept asking, ‘Where are your dance moves now?’” Gill added with a laugh, reflecting on their lighthearted rivalry.
All Eyes on Gabba for the Decider
With the five-match series level at 1-1, the third Test at the Gabba, starting Saturday, promises to be a thrilling encounter. India dominated the first Test in Perth with a massive 295-run victory, while Australia bounced back in Adelaide with a commanding 10-wicket win in the pink-ball Test.
As both teams gear up for another high-stakes battle, the verbal sparring between Cummins and Gill has added an extra layer of intrigue to an already fiercely contested series. Will Cummins’ short-ball ploy pay off, or will Gill continue to dance his way out of trouble? All will be revealed when the action unfolds at Brisbane’s iconic Gabba.
