Former Indian Test all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has heaped praise on Shubman Gill after India registered an eight-wicket win against the West Indies at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, on Wednesday.
Ashwin said Gill is a great combination of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Meanwhile, India was chasing a par score of 406 runs but Gill looked in complete control throughout his innings, scoring his 11th ODI century and leading India to an eight-wicket win. The Indian captain completed his second double century in ODI format off just 117 balls, which is the fastest in the format.
The flamboyant batter also became the second batter to score a double hundred in ODI cricket while chasing after Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. Gill’s 223 is the highest individual score in ODI format while chasing, and it is also the highest individual score by the Indian captain in the 50-over format.
Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “I’ll say it straight: Shubman Gill is a great combination of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. I refuse to agree, but I’m saying it was very princely. This is the first time I’m using this name. What a brilliant innings it was. Especially that shot where he jumped out and played a cut against the fast bowler over point. He is an exceptional player. Virat Kohli doesn’t play the cut and sweep that much against spinners, and there is no need to play the sweep against fast bowlers. Shubman plays both shots.
“Rohit Sharma is very good at using the back foot against both spinners and fast bowlers. Shubman does both. That is very rare. Rohit Sharma plays the inside-out shot, Virat Kohli also plays it, and Shubman plays it too. Virat Kohli uses his feet but doesn’t hit the ball that hard from there. Rohit Sharma uses his feet and hits big sixes. Gill does the same. So, in many ways, he matches them shot for shot,” he added.
Ashwin said ODI is Gill’s best format and he would put the records of many great batters in jeopardy if he continues to bat consistently like this.
He concluded, “This is his best format. We always say that we can talk about Virat Kohli in Test cricket. Virat Kohli’s best format is ODI cricket. Rohit’s best format is ODI cricket. In that line, Shubman Gill’s best format is also ODI cricket. I really hope ODI cricket stays on because Shubman Gill will put the ODI records of many great cricketers in danger, the way he is batting and the combination of skills he has.”
Gill has scored 3712 runs in 68 ODI innings at an average of 65.12.
