Former Indian assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has lavished praise on Shubman Gill after India registered a six-wicket win against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Tuesday. Chasing 259 runs for the win, Gill scored a fine knock of 80 runs off 75 balls with the help of 11 fours and one six.
However, the Indian skipper was forced to retire hurt due to cramps. Gill added 101 runs off 103 balls with vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, who scored 35 runs.
Gill timed the ball to perfection and continued his love affair of scoring runs at Edgbaston.
Nayar said the question marks in Gill’s mind would have left the building after India took a 1-0 lead in the series.
Nayar said on Star Sports, “It was absolutely elite batting and a class apart. He was always a terrific player but there has been a change to him recently. Even watching his press conferences, watching him at toss or speak about the game, it feels like he has reached a certain place of security and a place where he knows he belongs. The question marks in his mind has left the building. He is not looking to prove anything to anyone anymore.”
“Even while batting with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, it felt like Gill was special and had a lot more time. It felt like he had no loopholes where a bowler could target him. He has got runs everywhere. Captaincy has given him a lot of confidence and also him leading successfully in the IPL has added more belief in his system.”
On the other hand, former Indian wicket-keeper bat Parthiv Patel also praised Gill for his match-winning knock and said there is a sense of assertiveness in Gill’s leadership.
“He (Gill) has reached a stage where he has nothing to prove to anyone. That was a conversation we had with him before the IPL started, when he lost his place in India’s T20I side. His messaging and the way he talks in the dressing room, there is a sense of assertiveness in him now,” said Patel (via the aforementioned source).
Patel, who has observed Gill from close quarters at Gujarat Titans, said the Indian captain’s work ethic is on par with Virat Kohli.
He concluded, “His communication is outstanding now. There are a lot of things in his favor, but on top of everything, his work ethic is right on top. We always talk about Virat Kohli’s work ethic and how he works really hard on his game. To me, having seen Gill very closely, he is also right up there with Kohli in work ethic.”
The second ODI between India and England will be played at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on Thursday.
