India opener Shubman Gill has taken the cricketing world by storm with his stunning exploits in 2023, especially in the 50-over format.

In 20 ODIs this year so far, the elegant right-hander has amassed 1230 runs at a staggering average of 72.35 and a strike rate of 105.03 with five hundreds, which also includes a double ton against New Zealand.

Gill was the highest run-getter (302 runs) in the recently held Asia Cup 2023, which India won by defeating Sri Lanka in the final. He then exhibited his class in the three-ODI series against Australia at home, registering scores of 74 and 104 in the first two games that he played.

Impressed with his brilliance, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has tipped Shubman Gill to become the best player of this generation.  

“Shubman Gill has the potential to become the best player of this generation. The guy works hard. Since he was 19-20, his attitude has always been like that. He works four times harder than a normal guy since he was a kid. Whatever I have worked with him, he can be the player of this era,” Yuvraj, who has observed Gill from close quarters, told the Week.

Yuvraj also recalled Gill’s debut Test tour of Australia in 2020-21, where he played a crucial 91-run knock to script India’s series-clinching victory in the fourth and final Test at Gabba.

“He (Gill) scored 91 in a Test match which India won. He scored two fifties as well on his first tour to Australia which I don’t know how many players have done. I am sure he will score runs in Australia, South Africa as well as England,” he added.

With the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 around the corner, Yuvraj suggested that Gill can be a game-changer for India in the showpiece tournament.

“He (Gill) is in such a stage right now that he is fearless. He can be a game-changer for India in the World Cup. He opened up the game against Pakistan and put the bowlers under pressure,” he remarked.

India will open their World Cup campaign against five-time champions Australia in Chennai on October 8.