Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has heaped praise on Shubman Gill, emphasizing that the young batter has both a promising present and a bright future for the Indian cricket team. Gill has been in stellar form in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy, making significant contributions to India’s campaign.
Gill made a powerful start to the eight-team tournament, smashing an unbeaten century against Bangladesh in India’s opening match. In the high-pressure game against arch-rivals Pakistan, he followed it up with a crucial 46-run knock, solidifying his role as a dependable top-order batter. With 147 runs in two matches, Gill has emerged as India’s leading run-scorer, ahead of stalwart Virat Kohli, who has amassed 122 runs so far.
Speaking on Star Sports, Dhawan expressed his admiration for Gill’s technique and consistency.
“I simply love Shubman Gill’s batting. It’s very classy, and there’s elegance in his strokes. Most importantly, there’s consistency. It feels good to see such professionalism in young players today. These young boys know how to play their roles well and are scoring runs consistently. Gill has got a great present and future for India,” Dhawan remarked.
Rohit Sharma’s Leadership and Influence on Young Players
Dhawan also highlighted the role of captain Rohit Sharma in shaping young talents like Gill, stating that Rohit’s experience and mentorship are invaluable for the team.
“Rohit enjoys playing with youngsters, and he must be sharing his many years of experience with them. I’m sure he must be patting them on the back and guiding them on how to handle different situations. These small yet crucial communications between senior and junior players are very important,” he added.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Absence and Harshit Rana’s Big Opportunity
India is competing in the Champions Trophy without their pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, whose absence has been felt in the bowling attack. Dhawan acknowledged that Bumrah’s presence would have made a significant impact but also viewed this as a golden opportunity for young pacer Harshit Rana to establish himself in the ODI squad.
“Jasprit Bumrah is a very big name, a world-class bowler, and a consistent match-winner. Of course, his presence is missed. Whether anybody says it or not, I personally feel 100% that his presence is extremely important for India’s bowling lineup,” Dhawan stated.
However, he pointed out that Harshit Rana has been making the most of this opportunity, already picking up four wickets in the tournament.
“It is a great platform for Harshit Rana to showcase his skills. He has passion, aggression, and I like the way he picks up wickets. This is a massive opportunity for him to cement his place in the team. With Rohit’s guidance and the presence of seniors like Virat, he should make the most of this chance and continue to perform well,” Dhawan added.
India’s Upcoming Challenge Against New Zealand
With back-to-back victories against Bangladesh and Pakistan, India has already sealed a semi-final spot from Group A. Their final group-stage match will be against New Zealand on March 2, a crucial game that could determine their momentum heading into the knockout rounds.
With Gill in top form, the team will be looking to maintain its winning streak and strengthen its bid for the Champions Trophy title.
