Yuvraj Singh, the chief architect of India’s multiple World Cup wins, has highlighted the difference between Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, claiming that the former is one step ahead of the latter.
The ex-India all-rounder has mentored the young duo from Punjab, working on their batting technique and overseeing their development.
Yuvraj, who had started working with Gill and Sharma just before the COVID lockdown, reflected on what set the two apart from their peers.
“I started working with these guys just before Covid. And obviously, I could feel Shubman was up a notch, one step ahead. He had already played two games for India, and I could see that the guy is four times more hardworking than the average cricketer. Every time I told him something, he would happily adapt it in his batting. And that’s why he is where he is,” Yuvraj said while speaking to Kevin Pietersen.
He added, “As for Abhishek, I put him in a process. I told him if you do this in 4 years, you’re going to play for India. Think about playing for India and not the IPL. And in exactly four years and three months, he debuted for India. Some guys don’t understand how much talent they have. But he did. And if you put in the process, the results will show.”
Yuvraj then mentioned differences in approach between the two young batters. While T20 cricket suits Abhishek’s explosive style, Gill embodies patient as he often building his innings cautiously.
“I’ve had a lot of arguments about it, to be honest. I don’t mind going after bowling. I just feel that nowadays you don’t put a price on your wicket. There is no fear of getting out, and once there is no fear of getting out, you can go after any bowler. Whether he’s bowling 140 or 150. If I were in his place, I would never step out to somebody bowling 145. These guys are stepping out to 150 clicks. They are not afraid, and that’s the generation we have come to,” Yuvraj remarked.
He elaborated: “I tell Abhishek that if you hit three sixes and three boundaries and take four runs, it’s the same amount of runs. Can you take the risk out? If you want to be consistent, either you create an impact or score a hundred. The problem is that they want to score 100 off 40 balls or 36 balls. Not happy scoring 100 off 50-55 balls. Why I feel Shubman is more consistent in his performances is that he gives himself time. Abhishek is not built like that.”
