IND vs NZ: "You Have Definitely Got Your Opener From The World Cup Perspective" - Irfan Pathan Hails Shubman Gill

Irfan Pathan thinks Shubman Gill has clinched the starting spot for India in the World Cup later this year. The Men in Blue set a daunting 386-run mark for New Zealand in the third ODI on Tuesday, January 24, in Indore, thanks in large part to Gill’s blistering 112 runs off 78 balls.

The home team’s bowlers later dismissed the Black Caps for 295 to seal a decisive 90-run victory and a 3-0 rout.

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Shubman Gill Is Definitely Our No.1 Opener: Irfan Pathan

Pathan was questioned if Shubman Gill had persuaded Rohit Sharma that he should be the opener during a post-game debate on Star Sports, and he replied:

“He is definitely your No. 1 opener. He is definitely your future star and you have definitely got your opener from the World Cup perspective. In my opinion, he is the biggest takeaway from this series.”

Prior to the ODI series against Sri Lanka, the former Indian all-rounder noted that Rohit and the team management were indeed certain that Gill would be their opener.

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“Rohit had got the proof before the series itself. He has said in the press conference that they had no doubts in their minds that Shubman Gill is their opener. Both against Sri Lanka and here as well, they had said that he is our future star and ODI opener.”

In the fourth One-Day International of India’s tour to Bangladesh, Ishan Kishan struck a daring double century. However, in the next series against the Lankan Lions, the Indian think tank decided to play Gill rather than the wicketkeeper-batter.

Shubman Gill Getting The Results Regularly: Irfan Pathan

Pathan emphasised that Shubman Gill has returned the team’s management’s faith in him by saying:

“When you show faith, you get the results and you are getting the results regularly. Since the time he started playing ODI cricket, he is scoring runs extremely consistently.”

The former cricketer turned broadcaster praised the young player for being consistent despite his aggressive batting, saying:

“What I like the most is that we talk about the average – no one who has scored 1000 runs in ODI cricket has an average better than him, he has an average of 70 – but that average has come at a strike rate of more than 100. If you add the two, it becomes a figure of 170, which is a huge number.”

In 21 ODIs, Gill has scored 1254 runs at an exceptional average of 73.76 and a stunning strike rate of 109.80. Along with Babar Azam, he has the greatest three-match ODI series total of 360 runs against New Zealand.

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