Zaheer Khan hails Shubman Gill's transition to No. 3; compares India batter with these legends

Young Indian batting sensation Shubman Gill's rise in Test cricket has captured fans and former cricketers like Zaheer Khan, with the young prodigy stepping into the shoes of the legends.

He highlighted Shubman Gill’s immense talent and potential as he navigates a pivotal phase in his career. With soaring expectations from fans and cricket experts, Gill is consistently racking up runs in Test cricket, leading the former Indian pacer to draw comparisons to legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma.

He said that Shubman Gill is heading swiftly to emulate these Indian greats. Zaheer Khan further hailed Gill's transition to the crucial number 3 position, saying it was a key phase in his career that has demanded significant adjustment, especially under pressure during the recent series against England.

However, Gill showcased his resilience by delivering consistent performances. As he settles into this crucial role, Gill's performance will be vital for India's success, especially in Test cricket. And Zaheer Khan said that if the right-hander maintains his form, he will be key to the Indian cricket team in the next generation.

Shubman Gill will be India's key player in Tests in the future: Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan said on Cricbuzz: “When you talk about Shubman Gill, he is a very talented player, and everyone has high expectations from him. He is doing well in his career. He is consistently making runs in Test cricket. He is following the records set by the greats like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Sachin Tendulkar.

Shubman must be thinking about following those records. He made a change in his batting number. I think he is getting settled. He transitioned to the crucial number 3 position, which required significant adjustment. When he decided to change his number to 3, he had to adjust to it. I think it was a journey of adjustment. In the last series, there was a lot of pressure on him against England.

When he was playing in the beginning, when he started making runs there, he was able to continue. If you talk about the next phase of transition in Test Cricket, this player will be very important at number 3. If he is making runs and playing well, it will be a positive for the Indian team. You excite a lot of people.”

Zaheer Khan advises Shubman Gill to focus on first innings amid career transition

In the end, Zaheer reiterated that the transition Gill is going through, moving from opening to the number 3 position, is a significant phase in his career. The former Indian pacer further noted that this shift brings new challenges, particularly in improving his performance in the first inning.

Reflecting on his former roommate and legendary batter VVS Laxman, known for excelling in the second inning, Zaheer emphasized the importance of mental adjustments, as he advised Gill to focus on their first-inning performance, as he is also dominating the first inning in the format.

He also noted that the coaches and team management can use performance numbers to highlight areas of improvement, and this adjustment could serve as a key motivation for Gill’s continued growth and success in Test cricket.