Shubman Gill Shrugs Off Pat Cummins’ Bouncer Barrage Threat
Indian opener Shubman Gill has ignored Australian skipper Pat Cummins’ warning. Cummins threatened to use bouncers in the third Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba. Gill, speaking to the media before the match, downplayed Cummins’ threat. He even mocked the Aussie pacer’s short-ball tactics.
“Apart from one top order wicket, he has only dismissed tailenders with bouncers. I don’t know what type of short-ball plans he wants to deploy against us,” Gill told the reporters.
Cummins had earlier hinted at using bouncers to unsettle India’s batters. This tactic worked in the Adelaide Test.
Cummins’ Bouncer Plans: A Mixed Bag of Success
In the second Test at Adelaide, Cummins’ short-ball strategy yielded significant returns. The Australian skipper bowled precise bouncers. He took five wickets as India fell for 175. Australia’s pace battery, led by Starc and Cummins, dominated that match. Starc took six wickets in the first innings, restricting India to 180.
Cummins addressed the bouncer plan in his pre-match comments, stating, “It is always there at the back of our minds. It is Plan B when other things don’t work but for some of the batters we use it as Plan A,” Cummins said.
Shubman Gill’s Confident Comeback
Shubman Gill, out with a finger injury, will return to the XI at Brisbane. He was replaced by Devdutt Padikkal in the first Test at Perth, which India won by a massive 295 runs. Now fully fit, Gill will look to bolster India’s batting lineup and deliver under pressure at the Gabba.
Gill’s dismissal of Cummins’ bouncer threat shows the team’s confidence. Australia’s pacers have relied on short balls to unsettle opponents. But, Gill is unfazed. He noted Cummins’ limited success with the tactic against India’s top-order batters.
The Road Ahead: Brisbane Test Decider
With the series tied 1-1, the third Test at the Gabba is pivotal for both teams. Australia will try to repeat their strong performance in Adelaide. India, boosted by their big win in Perth, will aim to regain control of the series.
Shubman Gill and the Indian batsmen must counter Australia’s fast bowlers. They need to stay calm under pressure. Will Cummins’ bouncer plan trouble India’s batters or backfire? We’ll see as the match unfolds.