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For years, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been the torchbearers of India’s batting in white-ball cricket and a young star has been tipped to take on the mantle.
Stalwarts of Indian cricket Virat Kohli (left) and Rohit Sharma (AP Photo)
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are nearing the end of their international careers. Given their contribution and influence, whenever they decide to draw curtains on their respective India careers, it will be the end of an era. And leave a huge void which will be difficult to fill.
The Indian team management has kickstarted the process to identify their successors. And in ODIs, a certain Shubman Gill looks poised to take on the mantle.
In the ongoing Champions Trophy, Gill, while opening the innings alongside Rohit, has looked in terrific form.
Against Bangladesh, India’s tournament opener, he scored an unbeaten century on a tricky Dubai surface to play a starring role in an impressive victory. Then in a high-pressure game against Pakistan, he laid the foundation of a comfortable chase with a strokeful 52-ball 46.
Gill, the current top-ranked ODI batter, has come of age, feels former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu.
“Look, see, nothing grows under a banyan tree and the banyan tree of Indian cricket is basically Rohit Sharma and with him, Virat Kohli. But when you look at Shubman Gill, those two straight drives, even the blistering cover drive, this is like a blitzkrieg where the opposition is taken aback, you know, it’s awe-inspiring,” Navjot said on JioHotstar.
“This man has emerged from the shadows of that banyan tree and has come of age. It’s tough to say that. You rate ability in men by what they finish, not by what they attempt. When you actually take your side through after scoring a hundred and don’t throw your wicket, that responsibility is making you better,” he added.
The Indian cricket team has qualified for the semifinals of the Champions Trophy 2025 after New Zealand’s win over Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Monday night.
India will next face New Zealand in their third and final match of the Group A on March 2.