'Shubman Gill Will Get A Hundred vs New Zealand'..- Former Indian Skipper

India and New Zealand will clash against each other in the first semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 which will be played at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. Former India captain, Sunil Gavaskar has high hopes for Indian opener Shubman Gill as he expects Gill to score a century in the semi-final given Shubman’s amazing record against New Zealand in Indian conditions.

Sunil Gavaskar was asked whether Shubman Gill will end his long wait for a World Cup century in the semi-finals during a discussion on the Star Sports show ‘Game Plan’. Gavaskar replied, “At the Wankhede Stadium, which is a batting paradise most of the time. So whether India is batting first or second, Shubman Gill gets off to a flying start, then you can expect that he will get to a hundred.”

The former Indian skipper added, “He has been getting out in the fifties, which is a little bit of a surprise to me because he has got the hunger for hundreds. He has already got five hundreds in the year so far. Maybe he has saved the best for last.”

Shubman Gill Is Having A Dream 2023

Shubman Gill has amassed 1500 runs, with five centuries and eight half-centuries to his name, at a stunning average of 62.50 in 27 ODIs in 2023. However, he has not been able to show his best in the ongoing World Cup where he is aggregating 270 runs in seven innings at a meager average of 38.57.

Mohammad Kaif was queried about whether Shubman Gill will be oozing confidence after playing a splendid knock of 92 runs in India’s last game at the Wankhede against Sri Lanka and scoring a half-century against the Netherlands as well in the latest game. Kaif responded, “He was in great difficulty, he was ill. He lost five kgs, he got dengue. He was not fully fit but got an opportunity to play. He got out at the start but made a very good comeback. The 92-run knock you spoke about was fantastic.”

The former Indian cricketer expects Gill to feel at home at the historic Wankhede, “He is a classy batter. He waits for the ball and then plays, meets it close to the body. He doesn’t throw his bat forward. You want to be technically correct against New Zealand, and Gill can do that job. He has form as well and he plays well on bouncy pitches like the Wankhede.”

Shubman Gill has three half-centuries to his name in this World Cup against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands respectively. He has a terrific record against New Zealand in ODIs. Shubman Gill has scored a double hundred against New Zealand in ODIs at Hyderabad. The Wankhede stadium is a nice batting track and Shubman should use this opportunity to be a hero for India in a do-or-die match.