Gill played a match-winning knock of 80 in the first ODI against England at Edgbaston.
Shubman Gill starred with the bat in India’s six-wicket victory over England in the first ODI at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Tuesday (July 14).
Chasing 259 to win, the Indian skipper laid a strong foundation with an elegant 80 off 75 balls, including 11 fours and 1 six. Despite retiring out due to cramps, Gill’s knock and an unbroken 102-run partnership between Axar Patel (57*) and Washington Sundar (52) took the tourists over the line with 28 balls remaining.
Impressed with the captain’s exploits, former India all-rounder Abhishek Nayar cited that Gill is batting as flawlessly as Virat Kohli used to during his prime.
Notably, Gill entered the series on the back of phenomenal performances in the IPL 2026 and against Afghanistan in Tests and ODIs at home.
"I was reminded of the time when Virat Kohli came into the team and reached his purple patch. It seemed like Virat Kohli would score runs whenever he batted. Shubman Gill is looking just like that because he is looking flawless. It doesn't feel like he was having difficulty at any point, whether it was fast bowling or seam," Nayar said on JioHotstar show ‘Game Plan’.
"Rohit Sharma was also having difficulties, but you never saw Shubman Gill under pressure. You never saw Shubman out of place, whether it was spin or pace. Because of injury or cramp, unfortunately, he didn't get that hundred, but he looks like a million bucks. Looks like a person who is possessed and in a great space as a cricketer and a captain," he added.
In the same interaction, Nayar mentioned that Gill’s availability for the second ODI would depend on the severity of his injury.
"It needs to be seen what the injury is. Was it cramps, or was there a pull? If there is a strain, it becomes difficult because you cannot recover in one-and-a-half days. If it's mere cramps, those things can easily be managed through electrolytes. You put in the fluids. You can take an IV if possible. There are many things you can do," he stated.
Nayar hoped that "it’s nothing major" and the Indian captain would be available for the remaining two ODIs of the series.
"It will depend a lot on what the injury is, and we all hope that it's nothing major. We all hope that it's only cramps. You want Shubman in the best of health. You want Shubman alive and kicking in this series because you want to leave a statement, not only as a captain but also as a team," he remarked.
The second ODI is scheduled to be played in Cardiff on Thursday (July 16).