Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan said a lot of glimpses of Virat Kohli are seen in Shubman Gill in T20 cricket. Both Kohli and Gill are known to back their orthodox style of batting in the shortest format and they don’t like to play experimental shots.
Gill, leading Gujarat Titans this season, scored his maiden fifty of IPL 2024 against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad to help his team post a par score of 199 runs on the board after they were put into bat by Shikhar Dhawan on Thursday.
Gill scored a fine knock of 89 runs off just 48 balls with the help of six fours and four sixes. The flamboyant batter scored his 19th IPL fifty, getting there off just 31 balls.
“A lot of glimpses of Virat Kohli are seen in him in T20 cricket. How does Virat play in T20 cricket? He tries to play with control but still his strike rate remains good. So he (Gill) is trying to bat in that fashion. He is young for sure but we got to see the control and correct cricket, but despite that, if the strike goes close to 200, it’s praiseworthy,” Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports.
“We see fours and sixes but if we have a look at the running between the wickets, it is exceptional. Fitness makes a huge difference. He gets ready for the second run as soon as he plays a shot. I spoke about batting, but I feel he admires Virat Kohli even in running between the wickets and tries to follow him a little,” the former India all-rounder added.
On the other hand, former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar rated Gill’s 89 as one of his best IPL knocks, reasoning it’s not easy to bat first and set a target.
“I feel this was one of his best IPL innings. We know it’s not a playoff match or a final but a league game. However, he had to play with a little responsibility because they were batting first today. It’s difficult while batting first and setting targets,” he reasoned.
“When a guy plays a little like anchoring and maintains a strike rate close to 140, and after that, reaches close to 200, it’s a special talent. When his father was so happy, you can understand what a special knock he played. One of his finest IPL innings,” the former India batter added.
Gujarat Titans will next face Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Sunday.
