Shubman Gill next Virat Kohli: Former India player opines on comparison
In a recent statement, former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth emphasized the importance of Shubman Gill‘s consistent performance overseas for him to fulfill the expectations set for the young cricketer.
Srikkanth noted that scoring in the sub-continent alone would not be sufficient for Gill to achieve great heights in international cricket. Despite being the highest run-getter in international cricket in 2023, with over 2000 runs, Gill’s struggle to maintain consistency in T20Is and Tests has been evident.
The former opener acknowledged the hype surrounding Gill as the next big thing in Indian cricket but emphasized the need to wait and observe the young opener’s performance in the coming days. Gill, who completed 2023 as a standout performer, faced challenges in maintaining the same level of consistency across formats.
Gill’s Test performance in the last three years has been subpar, with an average of less than 30. Despite batting at No. 3 since the West Indies tour in July last year, he has only managed 83 runs in 5 innings. Srikkanth pointed out that Gill’s success in Tests would be crucial for India, especially with him occupying the No. 3 role.
“Shubman Gill must perform worldwide, not just in the sub-continent. Look at Virat Kohli’s record, he’s the King for a reason. While not everyone can match Kohli’s numbers every time, aspiring to reach a similar stature is crucial,” he said.
Addressing the hype around Gill, Srikkanth advised caution, neither overrating nor underestimating the young talent.
“The hype around Shubman Gill as the next big thing is prevalent. Many say he’s the next this, next that. However, it’s a wait-and-see situation. I wouldn’t overrate him, nor would I want to underestimate him,” he added.
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