Team India opener Shubman Gill has become the fifth batsman from the country and the first after former India skipper Virat Kohli to score centuries in all 3 formats of the game. Gill scored his maiden T20I century – 126 not out from 65 balls in a 168-run victory over New Zealand in the T20I series decider. Captain Hardik Pandya heaped praise on the young right-handed batsman, saying that his technique is so strong that he makes batting very easy for himself.
“He is so technically strong that it (batting) comes very easy for him. He just needs a switch to play T20, ODI and Test cricket as he has game for all the three formats. So, to be honest, he is not one of those who doesn’t need to play behind the wicket because of the kind of shots he can play around the wicket, with the kind of spacing, Pandya Said in the post – Match press conference
“He’s really one of those batsmen along with Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) who can hit really good balls and make them bad balls,” Pandya said.
Record-breaking knocks and the importance of hard work to move ahead _ _
__ ___ ____: Captain @hardikpandya7 And @Shubman Gill chat after #TeamIndiaRecord win in Ahmedabad by_ _ – @ameyatilak
Full interview_ _ #INDvNZhttps://t.co/9KMRvwMgsX pic.twitter.com/Povf3rLzXq
– BCCI (@BCCI) February 2, 2023
Gill scored an unbeaten 126A strike rate of 200 studded with 12 fours and seven sixes, also the highest score by an Indian in T20Is, eclipsing the previous best by Virat Kohli, who scored 122 not out against Afghanistan during the Asia Cup in UAE . September 2022.
He said, ‘Having said that, it has been fantastic to see his growth and it has been very useful for me (as captain). He is a kid with his head right on his shoulders and going forward I think he is going to be a great value and asset to the Indian cricket team. I wish him all the best and wish him to continue with the wonderful performances that he has been doing.
Gill became the fifth Indian batsman after Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to score a century in all three formats of the international game. Pandya said it was not surprising for him to see the innings played by Gill in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
“I have always felt that he has the technique and style to play all formats. To be honest, it was not a surprise to me. The amount of time he has, the ease with which he can bat, I don’t think many people can do that.
“So, for me, I knew it would happen and it’s good to see him doing it in this format, it means a lot to him and as a young player, if you can get success across formats, It just adds more dimensions. Your game,” said the Indian skipper.
(With IANS inputs)