IPL 2023: Shubman Gill’s release from KKR will go down as biggest blunder a franchise has made – Scott Styris

Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris feels Shubman Gill’s release from KKR will go down as the biggest blunder a franchise has made in the history of the IPL. KKR released Shubman Gill ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction and GT, who had the option of picking three released players, selected the young opener for INR 8 crore along with their skipper Hardik Pandya and leg-spinner Rashid Khan.

Gill played a key role in the team’s successful campaign in the previous season as he scored 483 runs in 16 matches at an average of 34.50 and a strike rate of 132.33.

Furthermore, the 23-year-old has improved his IPL numbers in the ongoing season. Gill has played a key role in taking GT to the final as he is the leading run-getter of IPL 2023 with 851 runs in 16 matches at a splendid average of 60.79 and a blistering strike rate of 156.43.

Meanwhile, the GT opener smashed a blistering knock of 129 runs off just 60 balls with the help of seven fours and 10 sixes in the second qualifier against Mumbai Indians at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Friday to help his team win by a huge margin of 62 runs.

“I still believe that his release from KKR will go down as the biggest blunder a franchise has made. The only other one was KL Rahul from RCB. However, there is age advantage here. Gill is still a very young man, he has got a lot of growth in his game,” Styris said on JioCinema.

“He can not only be the star for this GT star, especially after the next World Cup, he will be the backbone of this Indian side. And I think he will embrace that.”

On the other hand, KKR could not qualify for the playoffs after managing only six wins in 14 matches. KKR tried different opening duo with players like Jason Roy and Rahmanullah Gurbaz but their openers could not deliver consistently for them.

Gill has been batting like a dream in 2023 and he would want to continue the good show for the Indian team. The youngster will be seen in the WTC Final against Australia, which will be played at the Oval from June 7.