IND vs AUS: "Virat Kohli Ruled All Formats For Many Years, This Batter Has As Much Potential"- Irfan Pathan Hails Shubman Gill

Published - 02 Feb 2023, 02:19 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM

Shubman Gill. (Photo: Twitter)

Shubman Gill, according to Irfan Pathan, has as much ability as Virat Kohli and has begun to translate that promise into performances.

At the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 1, during the third and final Twenty20 International between India and New Zealand, Gill hammered an unbeaten 126 off 63 deliveries as India set a lofty 235-run goal. The Kiwis were subsequently knocked out for 66, giving Hardik Pandya and company a decisive 168-run victory in the series finale.

Shubman Gill-Virat Kohli Photo Credit: (BCCI)

I Am A Huge Fan Of Shubman Gill: Irfan Pathan

Pathan likened Shubman Gill to Virat Kohli during a debate on Star Sports, saying:

“The way he is batting, I am a huge fan of his. I am repeatedly saying that he can become an all-format player for you. Virat Kohli ruled all formats for many years, this batter has as much potential. To convert that into performance is a different thing.”

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The former Indian all-rounder elaborated on the fact that the elegant batsman has been on a century-scoring tear recently:

“That happens with time but Shubman Gill has started to do that. He scored his first century in August. Gill has now scored a total of six centuries in international cricket and we have just started February, where all other players have scored just four international centuries.”

In the last ODI match against Zimbabwe in August of last year, Gill achieved his first ever century in a competitive match. After that knock, he scored three 50-over hundreds and 100 in both Tests and T20Is.

Shubman Gill Is Improving His Game: Irfan Pathan

Pathan said that Gill shown the ability to depress the gas pedal after settling in during the game on Wednesday, saying:

“He is improving his game. The challenge before Shubman Gill in T20 cricket was that whether his strike rate can improve once he gets set – we definitely saw that. We saw amazing shots today – on the up, the pull shots, and against the spin.”

The former cricketer turned broadcaster highlighted the Gujarat Titans opener’s all-around approach to the pacers as he said:

“He doesn’t have any problems against pace, which we saw again today. Apart from playing the pull shots, he hit big shots against the pacers straight down the ground as well and we saw a mini-helicopter too.”

With the aid of seven fours, Gill needed just 35 balls to complete his half-century. After that, he unleashed a vicious attack on the Kiwi bowlers, scoring his next 76 runs off only 28 pitches.

Also Read: IND vs NZ: India Defeats New Zealand In A Historic T20I Series Victory