Aakash Chopra Drops "Future Of India" Remark On Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad's 142-Run Stand In IND vs AUS 1st ODI

Former India National Cricket Team opening batsman Aakash Chopra has showered rich praise on the young opening batsmen Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad for their batting masterclass in the ODI series opener against Australia National Cricket Team on Friday, 22 September, at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh.

Ruturaj Gaikwad got the opportunity to partner with Gill at the top of the order in the opening ODI against Australia as Rohit Sharma has been rested for the first two games alongside Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Kuldeep Yadav.

While chasing the target of 277, Gill and Gaikwad provided India with an excellent start in the match. Gill looked settled in the middle and he batted with a positive intent. The 24-year-old brought out his aggressive gameplay and smashed the bowlers all over the park. Ruturaj Gaikwad, after playing cautiously in the initial half of the innings, also took attack on the Aussie bowling unit.

Together they added 142 runs off 130 balls before Adam Zampa trapped Gaikwad LBW for 71 on the fourth ball of the 22nd over. Just after a few overs, the leg-spinner also sent Gill back into the hut. The 24-year-old batter was able to score 74 runs off 63 balls, before walking back to the dugout for 74 runs off 63 balls, with 6 fours and 2 sixes.

When Ruturaj and Shubman were batting, it seemed like the future of India was batting – Aakash Chopra

In a video posted on his official YouTube channel after the match, Aakash Chopra said that the partnership between Gill and Gaikwad was outstanding and it gave a glimpse of the future of India’s batting. The cricketer-turned-commentator elaborated:

“Ruturaj Gaikwad gets very few opportunities. His chances will be few and far in between till Rohit Sharma is playing and Shubman Gill is there with him. If someone is injured or rested, he could get an opportunity. 

“When Ruturaj and Shubman were batting, it seemed like the future of India was batting. Both are correct batters and are easy on the eye. They don’t play agricultural shots or manufacture strokes.”

“Gill was absolutely sensational. The dominant manner in which he batted, he is really making a name for himself as a very good player. It was an outstanding opening partnership,” Chopra added.

Soon after losing the wickets of Gaikwad and Gill, India also had to deal with the dismissals of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan. However, KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav steadied the ship and smashed brilliant half-centuries that helped India seal a 5-wicket win and become the No.1 ranked team in ICC Rankings across all three formats.