Shubman Gill, the young Indian opening batsman, is making waves with his incredible performances across all three formats of the game. The 23-year-old has scored a century in each format for Team India this year, including a record-setting 126 not out from 63 balls in a T20I against New Zealand. With a double century against the Kiwis in an ODI, Gill became the youngest player in ODI history to achieve the feat.
Despite his youth, Gill has already shared the pitch with several of India’s top openers, including Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, and Ishan Kishan. However, when asked about his favorite opening partner during a Rapid Fire segment on Jio Cinema, Gill surprised fans by choosing former India captain and legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar.
“Sachin Sir,” Gill responded, although he never had the opportunity to play alongside the iconic cricketer. Tendulkar, who debuted at the age of 16 in 1989, enjoyed a 24-year international career before retiring in 2013. Known as the “Master Blaster,” Tendulkar holds numerous records across all formats, including being the first player to score 100 international centuries.
Gill first gained attention during the 2018 U-19 World Cup and has since solidified his position as India’s first-choice opening batsman across formats. His impressive form and ability to produce consistent opening partnerships have contributed to India’s recent success.
Injuries kept Gill out of the first two matches of the Test series against Australia, but he made a strong comeback by scoring a century in the final game. This performance, along with his outstanding feats in ODIs and T20Is, has cemented his place at the top of the batting order.
As the ODI World Cup 2023 approaches, Gill is expected to be India’s preferred choice for the opener’s role. The tournament, set to take place in India later this year, will be an opportunity for Gill to showcase his skills on the global stage.
With his choice of Tendulkar as his favorite opening partner, Gill has displayed his admiration for the legendary cricketer and hinted at the kind of batsman he aspires to become. As he continues his impressive run, fans and critics alike will be watching to see if Gill can follow in the footsteps of the great Sachin Tendulkar.