Shubman Gill undergoes special training ahead of IND vs ENG ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match in Lucknow

Shubman Gill struggled against Short-ball in previous game at HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala.

India are preparing hard for their next big clash against defending champions England in Lucknow. Team India will be taking on struggling England at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Sunday afternoon. India have won all their five league games in the tournament so far and look all set to sail through the next round. On the other hand, England lost three back-to-back games and positioned themselves at 9th position in the points table. 

One loss will mean England’s campaign is over in the mega event. Indian opener Shubman Gill had a decent start against New Zealand in Dharamsala but he failed to take his innings to a bigger conclusion. Shubman Gill struggled against Lockie Ferguson’s pace and lost his wicket to one of his short-pitched deliveries. Gill was trying to play a slap over point against Ferguson but couldn’t control his shot and was held on by Daryl Mitchell at third man. 

Gill's drill against Short-balls

Keeping that in mind, the Indian opening sensation had a special training session at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Shubman Gill, after batting for a while in the nets, called a member of the staff with a badminton racket and tennis ball. Gill had a drill against short-pitched bowling with a pace throwdown. Gill’s preparation was a clear sign that he was trying to pull himself back once again after a setback against the Blackcaps in Dharamsala. 

England's Mark Wood had troubled several batters with his short-pitched bowling and just like Kiwis' Lockie Ferguson, Mark Wood also has brutal pace. Shubman Gill had an extended run in the practice session at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Shreyas Iyer has also been troubled a lot by short-pitched deliveries by Kiwi bowlers. Iyer’s continuous attempt to play a hook or pull shot against pace bowlers proved a poor strategy at HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. 

Shubman Gill missed the first two games for India due to dengue and made his World Cup debut against Pakistan at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. Gill has scored only one half-century against Bangladesh after his comeback and missed out on big scores against Pakistan and New Zealand. England need a win against India at any cost to remain alive in the World Cup 2023.