I have to show that I deserve this chance: Gill

Excited about his much-anticipated T20 International debut in the upcoming tour of New Zealand, young opener Shubman Gill wants to show that he belongs at the top level.

A day after he was picked for India's T20I team for the tour of New Zealand, Gill smashed his maiden T20 century to power Punjab into the semi-finals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 match in Kolkata.

"It's an important milestone for me, especially when it has come at the Eden," the young right-hander said after his career-best 55-ball 126, which guided Punjab to a nine-run win.

"Especially as an opener when you spend time on the pitch and make runs, it gives a lot of confidence," Gill said.

"It is a good feeling to get selected for the Indian team in any format. Now I have to show that I deserve this chance."

Gill mastered the conditions at Eden Gardens and toyed with the Karnataka attack after getting a reprieve on 34.

"On this pitch, you find seam movement early on during the Powerplay. Later, it becomes easier to bat. I made a mistake in the previous match and went for a big shot instead of waiting for the right time. So, I wanted to take my time. Feels good to have executed the plan well," he added.

Even as India struggle with K L Rahul's indifferent form in the ongoing T20 World Cup, the 23-year-old Gill has been in great form, having scored a maiden international century, 130 in an ODI against Zimbabwe recently. He was also in superb form in English county cricket and scored his first century for Glamorgan.