"How can Shubman Gill get a place in the squad?" - Ravichandran Ashwin attacks batter’s haters

India's vice-captain Shubman Gill is receiving a lot of praise after his mature knock against Bangladesh in Champions Trophy 2025. Gill's former teammate Ravichandran Ashwin was also pleased by the youngster's knock and claimed that he was answering his critics in the best way.

Ashwin rated Shubman Gill highly when it comes to white-ball formats and called him a unique talent. He was impressed with Gill's temperament and with the way his paces his innings in ODIs. However, he also added that the youngster needs to improve in Test cricket.

Also read: "Shubman Gill isn't a big hitter"- Ricky Ponting delivers cold-blooded verdict

Ravichandran Ashwin trolls Shubman Gill's critics

While speaking on his Hindi YouTube channel 'Ash Ki Baat', Ravichandran Ashwin recalled how some the trollers criticised Shubman's position of vice-captaincy and questioned the decision of selectors. He further claimed that Gill has given his trollers a proper reply with this knock.

“Many people were discussing when the Champions Trophy was announced, maybe they were confusing it with Tests and saying how Shubman Gill can get a place in the squad. They were saying how Shubman was named vice-captain? But after every match, he's replying to them,” Ashwin said.

Ashwin further mentioned about Gill's records in both the T20Is and ODIs where he has been exceptional so far. While he admitted that the youngster still needs to do better in Tests, he is in awe of Gill in white-ball formats.

“In white-ball formats, and especially in one-dayers, he's saying ‘I’m here to stay'. Even in T20s, his stats are good. When Test format returns, these questions will arise again and then, I can understand,” he added.

"He's an absolute gold dust" - Ravichandran Ashwin on Shubman Gill

While speaking further on the same topic, Ashwin called Gill a "generational talent". Despite missing out on the ODI World Cup 2023, Gill remains India's future in the white-ball formats as he has the ability to pace his innings perfectly.

“The 2023 World Cup didn't go to Gill's standards, but nevertheless, Shubman Gill has once again proven why he's an exceptional, generational talent," the former India offspinner observed.

"He's an absolute gold dust in this format, the way he sets his tempo, and the way he showed his temperament to seal the chase… it wasn't the easiest of white-ball template pitches, but he adapted brilliantly,” he said.

Gill scored 354 runs in 9 matches of ODI World Cup 2023 at an average of 44.25 and a strike rate of 106.94. While the numbers didn't seem too bad, they are still below the high standards that he has set for himself.

Gill's mature knock takes India home

Gill scored 101 off 129 balls against Bangladesh and remained unbeaten till the end. He struck 9 fours and 2 sixes in his knock and showed tremendous temperament while pacing his innings.

Gill started his innings positively but slowed down when he saw the wickets falling from the other end. He completed his century off 125 balls, which is the slowest ton by an Indian since the 2019 ODI World Cup. However, he felt satisfied by playing this match-winning knock.