Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan lauded Shubman Gill’s form after India secured an eight-wicket win against the West Indies at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, on Sunday.
The Indian skipper scored an impressive knock of 110 runs off 108 balls with the help of 13 fours and one six. This was Gill’s 10th ODI century, and he added 151 runs off 132 balls with Virat Kohli for the second wicket to put India in a winning position. Thus, the duo played a key role in India’s convincing win against the visitors, chasing down 296 with 50 balls to spare.
Gill’s ODI numbers in 2026 have been mind-boggling as he has scored 671 runs in nine innings at an average of 95.85 and a strike rate of 109.10.
“Shubman also scored a brilliant hundred. He is going through Bradman form in 2026 and is in complete control. And this is the difference. After the first wicket fell, West Indies threw the game away. They lost their first wicket at 135. And when India lost their first wicket at around 70, even after that it never felt like the West Indies would come close to India. They were in control. Kuldeep had a good day but there is definitely need to work hard on the bowling. But in batting, till Kohli and Gill are in such form, there is no question at all,” Irfan Pathan said in a video on his YouTube channel.
On the other hand, Pathan also praised Virat Kohli for scoring a masterpiece knock of 139 runs off just 88 balls. Kohli batted at his absolute best and looked in no trouble throughout his innings.
“Virat Kohli’s era was there yesterday, is there today, and will be there in the time to come as well. This was a brilliant hundred. The best thing about his batting was that he can hit sixes at will. He usually does not hit sixes at will. He takes those singles, hits boundaries, runs the game and plays a long innings. But it looks like the balls on which he takes singles, he can easily hit them for sixes too. There is so much control in his batting and he gives that control to India’s batting unit as well. Outstanding batting. Congratulations on 15000 runs and I pray that his era continues. It is fun to watch his cricket and his fitness,” Irfan Pathan stated.
The second ODI between India and the West Indies will be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, on Wednesday.
