‘We are witnessing such skill after long time’ – Ex Indian selector in awe of Shubman Gill’s batting

Shubman Gill, the Indian batter, is considered the next big thing in Indian cricket and this comes on the back of his double century and his quickfire 112 against New Zealand in the three-match ODI series. Already, Gill is being compared to Indian superstar Virat Kohli and it is because of his strong technique similar to that of the latter. 

Former team India selector Saba Karim opened up on the youngster and said that Gill could carry forward the legacy of the 34-year-old claiming that it would be vital for the spectators to have an eye on him. Further, Karim said that it would be Gill, if anyone from the current era, who could replicate the aura of former Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar. 

Karim highlighted the temperament of Gill and said that the batter can go on to become one of India’s greatest if he could carry on with the form in the coming days as well. For the unversed, the right-handed batter won the Player of the Series award last year when India toured Zimbabwe and West Indies consecutively. Much to the delight of the Indian fans, Gill was awarded the Player of the Series in the recently concluded ODI series against the Black Caps. 

The temperament is good: Saba Karim

Further, Karim said that Gill must be tested against tough opponents and in difficult situations, to get to know his capabilities. As far as tough conditions are concerned, during India’s tour of Australia in 2020/21, in the final Test at Brisbane, it was Gill’s 91 that set the momentum right for the team. 

“The temperament is good. He can carry forward the legacy set by Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar. The biggest test is overseas conditions. Gill’s track in England wasn’t that good when he played Tests. We hope that he becomes the backbone of Indian batting. We are witnessing such a skill after a long time. In the future, we have to check how he performs against tough opponents. We have to test him in difficult conditions and quality pace bowlers, but the start has been phenomenal,” Karim was quoted as saying to India News. 

“There are a lot of things about Shubman Gill’s batting. He looks mature with the bat. By maturity, I mean game awareness, reading the game, playing different shots against bowlers, focusing on shot selection, how to run the scoreboard and complementing the partner when needed,” he added.