Shubman Gill to eclipse Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma? Pakistan legend makes bombshell prediction

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik heaped praise on young Indian batter Shubman Gill ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash between two arch-rivals. Malik stated that Gill is a valuable asset for Indian cricket and has the potential to reach the heights of star players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

India are set to face Pakistan in a much-anticipated match on Sunday, February 23, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. A loss for Pakistan would diminish their chances of reaching the semi-finals of the ICC event, leaving them to rely on certain permutations and combinations to stay in contention.

Virat Kohli Has Struggled Against Leg-Spinners - Shoaib Malik

In a chat with RevSportz, Shoaib Malik said that Rohit Sharma’s aggressive approach gives India a strong start and allows the middle order to capitalize. Malik acknowledged Kohli’s recent struggles against leg-spinners and added that the batter should work on using his feet more to counter the threat.

"For Rohit Sharma, the role is completely different. He goes out there, takes on the bowlers, and ensures that his team gets a good start so the following batters can build from that," Malik told RevSportz.

"As for Virat, yes, he has struggled in his last five innings against leg-spinners. When a batter struggles against a particular type of bowler, it is time to fix that. I think he needs to use his feet more, which could help him overcome this issue. When leg-spinners are bowling slow and dragging him forward, he is getting troubled. So, better footwork could be a way to counter that," he added.

Shubman Gill Is an Exceptional Talent – Shoaib Malik

Shoaib Malik called Shubman Gill an exceptional talent and a great asset for India. He said that Gill’s approach against Bangladesh was different from his usual style but suited the team's needs. Malik also stated that Gill has the potential to carry forward the legacy of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

"Shubman Gill is an exceptional talent. The way he played in the last game against Bangladesh was uncharacteristic of him, but that was what the team needed at that moment to win. He understood the conditions and the importance of staying at the crease until the match was finished," Malik stated.

"Shubman is a great asset for Indian cricket, and he has the potential to be like Rohit or Virat, following their legacy in the years to come," he added.

Shubman Gill Smashed a Match-Winning Century Against Bangladesh

Virat Kohli’s form is a concern despite the team's comfortable six-wicket win over Bangladesh. The star batter scored just 22 runs off 38 balls before falling to leg-spinner Rishad Hossain. The right-handed batter has scored only one half-century in three matches in 50-over internationals this year.

Shubman Gill scored an unbeaten 101 off 129 balls with nine fours and two sixes as India successfully chased down a target of 229. India lost a few wickets in the middle, but Gill and KL Rahul (41*) guided the team to victory with six wickets in hand. The opener won the Player of the Match award.

Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Sanjay Manjrekar boldly declares India vs Pakistan match winner