Gill made 84* as India won the first ODI by 7 wickets in Dharamshala.
Manoj Tiwary, a former batter for India, observed Shubman Gill's development as a batter based on how he led the team to victory in the first ODI against Afghanistan by organizing the run chase.
In the rain-shortened match at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Saturday, June 13, the captain scored an undefeated 84 from 66 deliveries.
Team India got off to a fast start in the 25-overs-per-side match, chasing a target of 195, but it was cut short when Rohit Sharma left following an unfortunate run-out. Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul contributed crucial cameos to help the hosts take the series lead while Shubman Gill held his own.
Tiwary pointed out that the old Shubman Gill would have perished trying to play an ostentatious stroke toward the end of the run pursuit.
"The way Gill built his innings is praiseworthy, and after Rohit got out, it was his responsibility to take the team forward, remain not out, and win the game from there. Also, the way the cameos came from Iyer, Kishan, and KL Rahul, they did not let the pressure get to Gill at all," Manoj Tiwary said on Cricbuzz.
"Earlier, what used to happen was that, when he got close to the target, he used to get out while playing glory shots. But now, he is playing unbeaten knocks, remaining not out, so from this, it becomes clear that bowlers cannot get his wicket easily. They will only get a wicket if he makes a mistake. He is named Prince for a reason, because his innings were royal," he added.
After a difficult start to his career, Manoj Tiwary added that the responsibility he plays with as GT's captain is finally starting to show in ODIs. Shubman Gill came into this series with 732 runs in IPL 2026, with 6 fifties and one century, and a best score of 104.
"The roadmap, the blueprint, that the coaches and the team management have laid out has started, and it was a good start, a good win. Ever since he has been GT's captain, the responsibility has been reflected in the IPL, and we got to see the same today. He remained unbeaten and took the team over the line. This shows that he knows the art of captaincy," Manoj Tiwary concluded.
India will play the second ODI against Afghanistan on June 17 in Lucknow, with a chance to seal the series.