Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar thinks that Shubman Gill is something perfect that the ODI format requires.
In India’s opening match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy India beat Bangladesh by six wickets with 21 balls left on 20 Feb 2025.
It was Gill’s not-out 101 runs knock in 129 balls that led India to chase the total of 229 with decent comfort at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Gill’s form before coming to the mega ICC event in ODIs was sound too. The 25-year-old started a good partnership with captain Rohit Sharma, who added 41 runs versus Bangladesh.
It was Bangladesh who won the toss and elected to bat first. Despite losing quick early wickets, Towhid Hridoy scored 100 runs and helped his team to put in a total of 228 runs.
Mohammed Shami took five wickets and made a sound comeback from an 18-month-long injury. Shami’s follow fast bowler Harshit Rana also took three wickets, with Axar Patel talking the remaining two wickets for India.
Virat Kohli’s poor form continued in this match too, with adding only 22 runs in 38 games. Shreyas Iyer and Patel did lose their wickets with ease, but KL Rahul made sure that his 41 not-out in 47 balls would help India win the game with six wickets.
After seeing Gill’s match-winning innings, Sanjay Manjrekar said, “The difference between Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill is that Gill will take you right to the end. ”
While Manjrekar wants to see more from Iyer, who lost his wicket by scoring only 15 runs, the former India batsman spoke very well about Gill and his finishing ability.
On 23 Feb 2025, India will next face hosts Pakistan in Dubai.
