Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan has predicted that Shubman Gill will be the highest run-getter of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023. Gill missed the team’s opening game of the tournament against Australia due to dengue on Sunday.

Gill has been in magnificent form as the youngster has scored 1230 runs in 20 ODI matches at an unbelievable average of 72.35 and a strike rate of 105.03 in 2023. Out of his total six ODI centuries, five have come in the ongoing year.

Gill scored a fine knock of 104 runs off just 97 balls in the second ODI against Australia at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore, and added 200 runs with Shreyas Iyer. Thus, Gill will look to continue the good show in the upcoming ODI showpiece.

Zaheer Khan said while talking to India Today, “Well, look at his year. Year 2023 has been a phenomenal year for him. He’s been scoring hundreds, double hundreds, across formats. Very consistent. I’ve actually mentioned that, he’s going to be the leading scorer for this tournament.”

“That’s the kind of year he’s having. He’s got the potential. He’s batting in the top order. It all depends on how you set the tone for the tournament. You know, for a for a batter like like him, If the first couple of innings he gets into the World Cup with nice innings under his belt, then it’s just going to be a really great World Cup for him.”

“And I will not be surprised if he’s one of the leading run scorers for the tournament,” said Zaheer

Gill is batting with full confidence and the same is palpable in his strokeplay. The youngster has scored 1917 runs in 32 ODI matches at an impressive average of 66.1 and a blistering strike rate of 102.84.

Gill is going to hold the key at the top of the order along with skipper Rohit Sharma and the duo will aim to give solid starts to the team.