Butt predicted that Gill will become a big player in the future.
After India's convincing 10-wicket victory over Zimbabwe, Shubman Gill has received a lot of acclaim from critics and fans alike.
He put on an unbroken 192-run partnership with Shikhar Dhawan as India won the first ODI by 10 wickets on Thursday (August 18) at the Harare Sports Club.
Gill remained unbeaten on 82 and played the aggressor’s role which allowed India to chase down a meager target of 190 with more than 19 overs to spore.
In the ongoing series against Zimbabwe, the young opener has continued his fine run of form with the bat. He had won the Player of the Series award in the ODI series against the West Indies.
The 22-year-old is one of the few cricketers who still plays traditional cricket shots and doesn't rely on power-hitting, according to former Pakistani captain Salman Butt, who praised the batter profusely.
“These days, people often talk about power-hitting. Power-hitters dominate the conversations among players as well as those in higher positions. In such a time, a player like Shubman Gill comes in who is a brilliant timer of the ball, who plays conventional cricket shots. Babar is one of them, and I think there are 4-5 players remaining in the world who play like that. Rest all are switching towards power-hitting,” said Butt on his official YouTube channel.
The former cricketer continued by saying that the young batter reminds him of great Australian batters like Mark Vaugh and Damien Martyn.
“Shubman Gill reminds me of players like Mark Waugh and Damien Martyn. They were touch players. It doesn’t feel like he smashes the ball too hard. He simply caresses it. He plays beautiful cricket. I love to watch him bat. When I saw him bat for the first time in Test cricket, I had said straightaway that he is going to be a big player,” he added.
The second ODI between India and Zimbabwe will be played on Saturday (August 20) at the same venue.
(NEWS18 INPUTS)