HomeAnalysisShubman Gill Embodies What It Takes To Succeed At...

Shubman Gill Embodies What It Takes To Succeed At The Top Level

- Advertisement -

Just around 12 months ago, teenager Shubman Gill was awarded the player of the ICC U-19 World Cup after India sealed the trophy by beating Australia in the final. The youngster had all the credentials of showing promise and intent. There were talks around the cricket fraternity that members of that team had it in them to make it big in the senior stage in the upcoming future.
But two cricketers from that U-19 side didn’t have to wait long, Firstly, it was skipper of the U-19 team, Prithvi Shaw, who made a fitting debut in Test cricket for the senior team against the West Indies in October 2018. Three months later, Shaw’s teammate Gill broke into the ODI scenes against New Zealand on January 31, 2019.

Shubman Gill finished as the highest run-scorer for India in the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2018. The top order batsman hit 372 runs in six matches and finished as the second highest run-scorer in the tournament. He gave a decent account of himself as a versatile option in batting for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League. In 13 matches, the Punjab player amassed 203 runs for KKR.

- Advertisement -

He followed that up with 728 runs in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy with a superb average of 104.00 in five matches.  The youngster bagged his highest score of 268 against Tamil Nadu and then hit a sublime 148 against Hyderabad. In nine first class career matches, Gill has scored 1,089 runs at an average of 77.78.

Gill also found it going for India A and the impact he’s had was enough for the selectors to hand him a call-up. His moment came last month as he replaced the suspended KL Rahul in the Indian ODI squad versus New Zealand. Let’s have a look how Gill embodies what it takes to succeed at the top level.

A nervous debut for Gill

Shubman Gill presented with the Indian ODI cap ahead of the 4th ODI against New Zealand. (Image: Twitter @BCCI)

Gill, who has had a terrific journey in cricket, has finally tasted what it is to play at the top most level in the game.   He couldn’t quite live up to the billing on his debut after scoring a 21-ball nine. But it was difficult for him against an in-form Trent Boult, who showed his mastery in conditions that assisted swing. India had a day to forget in the fourth ODI versus the Kiwis after scoring just 92.
Seven Indian batsmen scored below 10 runs and produced a show that was one of India’s poorest in recent times. New Zealand won the match by eight wickets with 212 balls to spare. Gill, who came in at number three in place of Virat Kohli, played a shot that was like a carbon copy of stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma’s dismissal. A good length delivery that swung back into the right-hander. Shubman was tempted to push forward with hard hands and ended up chipping a return catch to the bowler.
He hit one four in his nine-run knock. Gill was also hit by the short ball as well.

It’s just the beginning

Shubman Gill during the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2018. (Image: Twitter @ICC)

The fifth and final ODI of the series is to be held on Sunday and Gill will be getting another opportunity to try his hand. This time one will expect him to be more settled and less nervous. A substantial knock here will give the player plenty of confidence going into the future.
Many former Indian cricketers including Sunil Gavaskar has backed the youngster and feels that he has a great future in store. Gill surely cannot be judged on his knock of nine on debut. Boult, after all, was in the midst of a spell which most new-ball bowlers only dream of. There are bound to be days when the Indian teenager will tick all the boxes and come out as a hero.
All eyes will be on him on Sunday. India need to give him another chance and back him to play without pressure. He has got his KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik in the side and the veteran can aid him in building some confidence. One should not start expecting too much so soon from Gill. He has the quality and is a superstar in the making.
It’s a matter of time for the player to challenge a place in the team. Prior to that, he needs to get the feel of international cricket and see how things go for him.

Can Gill challenge for a berth in the World Cup?

Shubman Gill reacts after scoring a ton in the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2018. (Image: Twitter @ICC)

The positive factor for Gill is that he has already hit the right chords and has impressed one and all with his bagful of talent. Recently Virat Kohli was in praise for the youngster and said that he was not even 10 percent to what Gill is in the age of 19.
“I think there are some outstanding talents. We saw Prithvi Shaw grab the opportunity with both hands. Shubman is a very exciting talent and I saw him bat in the nets and I was like wow I was not even 10 per cent of that when I was 19,” Kohli said after India’s victory in the third ODI.
Gill was called ahead of several other players for the ODIs which means that he is in the reckoning for a berth in India’s World Cup squad. There are a few slots up for grabs and KL Rahul’s absence means that Gill has every possibility of making things happen.
One slot in the 15-man squad could be given to an extra batsman. Rahul was expected to get the same, but his form is a matter of concern. So although it could be too early for Gill, there is a ray of hope. For things to work in his favour, he needs to be selected in the ODIs at home against Australia. A few opportunities there could give us a glimpse of what we can expect.

2019 an important year for Gill

Shubman Gill in action for KKR in 2018. (Image: Cricketaddictor.com)

2019 will be crucial for Gill in terms of showing his calibre in the IPL for KKR and also in the first class matches. A solid run could keep him in the mix and help him push for a place in the side post the World Cup. There could be several spots available post the World Cup and Gill could be handed opportunities to showcase his worth.
What it also does is that, there will be more competition in the team and it will propel everyone to put their best foot forward. This is an interesting phase in the game for India. The future of Indian cricket looks strong. Gill is another promising player among a large quartet of youngsters in the ranks.
The likes of Rishabh Pant, Shaw and Khaleel Ahmed have already made crucial grounds. And there are many upcoming stars such as Prasidh Krishna, Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti. One feels strongly that Gill could do himself a favour by keeping his head strong and feet on the ground. He could become a trusted asset in the Indian side sooner than later.

- Advertisement -

15 Highly Educated Cricketers Of All Time

Cricket is a game of passion and dedication. A sport in which one involves themselves in camps and practice since early childhood. Due to...

Do we often under-appreciate Andy Flower? What’s his legacy?

There's a hint of sadness in noting that Zimbabwe has never been a dominant power in world cricket. But nothing could be sadder than...

Why are more and more MotoGP riders using the Noson nasal dilator?

Introduction MotoGP riders or athletes are physically fit and healthy individuals and their muscles are continuously functioning and used during the performance. As a fan...

How Come UFC Fighters Have Cauliflower Ears But Boxers Don’t?

The UFC has come a long way since its early days, wherein the fights seemed like modern-day gladiators due to its brutality and inconsistent...

5 spinners who can be India’s potential finger-spinners

The Indian cricket team has always been proud of its ability to produce world-class batsmen and similarly potent spinners. Though in recent times, the...

IPL 2018: The beautiful Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

Being seated in the Sawai Mansingh stadium brings a different world, a world of difference away from the palpable excitement of watching truly India’s...

The astonishing decline of Mario Balotelli

There was a time when Mario Balotelli was on top of the world.  The Italian talisman had scored two goals in the Euro 2012 semi-finals,...

Top 5 Left Wingers In The World, Based On 2019-20 Season

Owing to the fact that football has evolved a lot since its inception and the tactics have changed a lot, the role of wingers...

What can be expected from the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

Heat in the air and heat inside the car- that's been the story of the Azerbaijan Grand prix. As F1 parks itself at Baku...

How Suresh Raina Batted India Into The Finals of 2011 World Cup

Its been 9 years, since India won the Cricket World Cup defeating Sri Lanka on 2 April, 2011. The images and visuals of...

IPL 2018: The best from the West Indies

When one of nature's treacherous attacks on mankind- earthquakes- strike, their impact is measured on Richter's scale. When West Indians strike in a tournament...

Big change for India Women’s cricket as BCCI looks to finalise bowling coach soon

We are not even at the halfway stage of the 2018 cricketing season. It clearly seems there's no stopping India's women's cricket team. The...

Age Fraud in Indian Cricket: Are players really to be blamed?

There have been times while watching a cricket match when we tend to hear commentators comment on cricketers’ age. We as fans have many...

Ajax XI if they didn’t sell their star players

Based in Amsterdam, AFC Ajax, who incidentally draw their name from the legendary Greek hero of the same name, are the most successful club...

5 famous players to play for both Leeds United and Liverpool

Leeds United are back in the Premier League after 16 years and will play Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday in their very first match...

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -