Suresh Raina expects Shubman Gill to dominate in World Cup 2023

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has thrown his weight behind young batting sensation Shubman Gill, likening his potential impact in the upcoming ODI World Cup to that of his opening partner, Rohit Sharma, in the 2019 edition held in England. 

Raina's endorsement stems from Gill's ability to convert his starts into substantial scores, akin to India's skipper Rohit Sharma. He believes that Gill has the makings of a future cricketing superstar and could elevate his game to new heights during the World Cup.

Shubman Gill is a born leader – Suresh Raina

In a statement to Jio Cinema, Raina articulated his faith in Gill's abilities: “His mindset will not stop here. What Rohit Sharma did in the 2019 World Cup, Gill could do the same for India this year. He'll get 50 overs to bat, so it's a takeoff point for his batting. I think he's a born leader and he shows that in his game.”

Shubman Gill's cricketing journey in 2023 had its share of challenges, particularly during the tour of the West Indies across formats, where he managed to cross the fifty-run mark only twice.

However, his remarkable resurgence occurred during the Asia Cup, where he amassed a staggering 302 runs. Gill's performance was a testament to his calibre, highlighted by two fifties and a century, making him the tournament's highest run-scorer.

Irfan Pathan not happy with Ravichandran Ashwin’s selection for Australia ODIs

Raina acknowledged Gill's consistency and resilience, remarking, “He's been consistent for a year and a half. He struggled in the middle against West Indies, but the way he's come back and scored good runs in the Asia Cup.

He is looking positive, using good footwork, and from getting out at 40 against the West Indies, he is now comfortably hitting 50s and even 100s. He'll be one of the most important players at the World Cup.”

Furthermore, Raina emphasized Gill's ambition to become a cricketing superstar, drawing parallels with the likes of Virat Kohli. He noted that Gill's form, characterized by exceptional hand speed, poses a formidable challenge for bowlers, confounding spinners with his precision and leaving fast bowlers without a clear strategy.

As the cricketing world anticipates the ODI World Cup, the prominence of established stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is undeniable. Still, Shubman Gill's red-hot form adds an exciting dimension to India's batting lineup, fueling hopes of a successful campaign in the tournament. 

Gill's journey promises to be a captivating narrative, and his partnership with Rohit Sharma could be one of the key dynamics that determine India's fortunes on the world stage.

Prasenjit DeyPrasenjit Dey

Prasenjit Dey is an independent cricket journalist with Bylines across reputed publications like Cricbuzz, The Hindu, The Cricketer, Fancode, and The Quint Among Others. He has an experience of eight years in the field and is a valuable addition to the Cricnerds team. You can follow him on Twitter @CricPrasen.

twitter