Suresh Raina has voiced big expectations for Indian cricket’s newest star, Shubman Gill with the World Cup 2023 coming up soon. (Image: Instagram, AFP)
Former Indian World Cup winner, Suresh Raina voiced his big expectations over India’s newest star in the top-order and believes that he can emulate Rohit Sharma’s knocks from the World Cup 2019.
Former Indian cricketer and World Cup winner, Suresh Raina shared his expectations on Jiocinema regarding India’s brightest talent, Shubman Gill.
He has been one of India’s best batters after the 2019 ICC ODI World Cup. He currently stands second, behind Virat Kohli in terms of runs scored since the previous World Cup.
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He also had a stellar performance in the Asia Cup 2023 where he finished the tournament as the highest run-scorer with 302 runs which also had one century and two half-centuries.
Suresh Raina shared his expectations from Gill after his exploits in the Asia Cup,” 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.”
Raina also mentioned the importance that the opening batter holds in the Indian side. He commented,” He’ll be one of the most important players at the World Cup. I know that he wants to be a superstar and wants to be the next Virat Kohli and is in that aura already and after this World Cup, we will be talking about him more often.”
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Raina also talked about Gill’s technique against spinners, he commented,” The form he’s playing in with his hand speed – it’s extremely strong. Spinners don’t know where to bowl to him
With regards to his technique against the pacers, he also added, “Fast bowlers don’t swing the ball, he can play those really well with a straight or a flick. His mindset will not stop here.”
Raina believes that Gill could emulate Rohit Sharma’s iconic 2019 World Cup form where he scored 648 runs. Raina said, “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.”
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The Indian side a preparing itself to compete in a three-match ODI series against Australia which will likely feature Gill in the opening slot and will look to go to the 2023 ODI World Cup in the best possible form and will want to take advantage of the familiarity of home conditions as well. Having already played all over India in the IPL as well and managing to finish as the highest run-scorer in the tournament, things look set for Gill to announce himself in cricket’s biggest tournament.