India opener Shubman Gill has impressed one and all with his stunning exploits in 2023, especially in the 50-over format.
In 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.
Gill was the highest run-getter in the recently held Asia Cup 2023, which India won by defeating Sri Lanka in the final last week. He is currently exhibiting his class in the ongoing ODI series against Australia, registering scores of 74 and 104 in the first two games in Mohali and Indore, respectively.
Impressed with his brilliance, South African legend AB de Villiers has predicted Shubman Gill to finish the upcoming ODI World Cup in India as the leading run-getter.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, De Villiers weighed in on the technique of Shubman and said: “His technique and style is quite simple and basic generally what you say about some of the best players in the world.”
“You get some exceptions like Steve Smith, who has got a very different technique, he jumps across the crease, gets down the wicket or out of the crease in the line of the bowlers' channels specifically in the Test cricket but he also dies in the ODIs.
“Whereas Shubman Gill is much more traditional, very straightforward technique. He doesn’t try a lot of different things. He does have a lot of strength where he can change the gears and put a lot of pressure on the bowlers,” he added.
“In the IPL we saw that front arm pull off relatively full length which wasn’t even short. He has got this incredible ability to pick up the length very quickly. You generally see that with some of the best players in the world and Shubman is very quickly becoming one of them.
“He is still young, which is incredible because he looks like an experienced campaigner already. We are going to hear a lot about him in the future and in this World Cup as I think he is going to be the top run scorer,” he explained.
De Villiers also issued a warning to other teams after watching veteran India off-spinner R Ashwin’s bowling display in the ongoing ODI series against Australia.
On his comeback to the ODI side after 21 months, Ashwin returned with bowling figures of 1/47 (10 overs) in the first game against Australia in Mohali on Friday (September 22). He continued his brilliance in the second ODI versus Australia in Indore on Sunday (September 24), picking up three wickets in his seven overs by conceding 41 runs.
“Unbelievable move. Not so good for the other teams. Experienced, smart, plays the big moments really well. He has got an incredible skill and understands his game with both bat and ball,” De Villiers remarked.
“He is a great addition to the team I don’t know why he was not there in the first place. I am a big fan, he is always a little bit controversial but he plays to win. He loves to have the ball in his hand in the pressure moments, never shy away from big moments,” he concluded.
