Sanjay Manjrekar praised Shubman Gill as a “lambi race ka ghoda,” emphasizing that even at 60% performance, he excelled, scoring 101 not out against Bangladesh. Manjrekar noted Gill’s potential longevity in the sport, contrasting him with Shreyas Iyer. Gill displayed remarkable adaptability, overcoming a challenging pitch, scoring his slowest ODI fifty, and remaining calm during a tense chase. Anil Kumble highlighted Gill’s restraint against spin bowlers, showing mature shot selection. His ability to rotate the strike and maintain composure under pressure exemplifies his completeness as a player, setting a positive tone for the tournament ahead.
Gill finished with an unbeaten score of 101 against Bangladesh, successfully leading India in their chase of 229 in Dubai. He played 129 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes, and guided India to victory with six wickets in hand and 21 balls remaining. One of his two sixes, a front-foot pull off Tanzim Hasan in the ninth over, soared into the second tier of the stands at deep-midwicket.
“Some of the shots he played, particularly the good-length ball that went into the second tier… he has the big game at his command,” Manjrekar noted. “Can he perform better in 50-over cricket as a batter? I don’t think so; what could possibly top this?”
“He’s capable of changing gears,” he remarked. India is fortunate to have a top three made up of Test-quality players, allowing them to adapt their play accordingly. Yashasvi Jaiswal, when he eventually joins, is also a Test batter. So, when facing challenging swinging conditions overseas, they can navigate the new ball and cope with different situations. Shubman Gill embodies that versatility; he is not one-dimensional, possessing all the gears, as evidenced by his performance today. He is at the peak of his 50-over cricket capabilities and approaches the game with composure. His batting and finishing style exude dominance and confidence.
“What stood out today is that typically when he faces an offspinner, he steps out and targets long-on or midwicket,” Kumble observed. “However, he opted for caution, possibly due to the pitch, believing that taking risks was not the best option. Although he has successfully attacked Miraz in Test matches, he focused on sustaining his crease and ensuring he stayed until the end. This was particularly notable when the [required] run rate dipped slightly.”
Manjrekar concurred, stating: “Plus, the capability to regularly grab singles helps keep the scoreboard ticking. He doesn’t rely heavily on the sweep shot or dab; instead, he favors a straightforward approach. Even while executing the pull shot, his bat comes down straight. Many of his singles result from back-foot punches to long-on, rather than just using soft hands. A player who can effortlessly secure singles, hit sixes at will, and maintain a solid defense in 50-over cricket is indeed the complete package at this moment.”
The Indian camp likely felt a bit anxious when they slipped from 112 for 1 to 144 for 4 in less than eight overs, but Gill maintained his composure and saw the chase through, earning commendations from Kumble.
“He’s been outstanding, particularly in this format. The elegance and ease with which he achieved that hundred on a challenging pitch were remarkable,” he said. “I don’t think the pitch was favorable, with the ball not coming onto the bat as nicely. It was on the slower side, requiring adjustments, yet he was connecting and timing the ball exceptionally well.
“The highlight of Shubman Gill’s innings was his determination to see the game through. He didn’t approach the innings aiming to just accumulate runs quickly and get out, which we’ve witnessed before. That level of maturity he brings to his game is impressive. I hope this marks the beginning of an outstanding season for both him and India; a hundred not out in the first match of a tournament while remaining until the end is a positive sign.”