MUMBAI: So far, 2023 has been the year of Shubman Gill. Coming of age in grand fashion, the 23-year-old elegant batsman has been on a run-making spree, averaging 60 across 18 innings in a prolific span which has seen him notch up hundreds in all the three formats of the game, including an double-hundred in an ODI against New Zealand at Hyderabad and a century against Australia in the drawn fourth and final Test at the Motera in Ahmedabad.
As they look to defend their IPL title, the Gujarat Titans will hope that Gill maintains his golden touch in the T20 league. The youngster had stroked 483 runs in 16 matches @34.50, with four fifties, apart from 45 not out against the Rajasthan Royals in the final at Ahmedabad to play an instrumental role in GT’s memorable IPL triumph in their maiden season last year.
Amongst those who have been left enchanted by Gill’s sublime talent is New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who is likely to open with the youngster in IPL-2023 for GT.
“Shubman Gill is a really strong competitor. I’m sure he will learn a lot from a number of leaders he plays under. He is a fantastic guy with a great understanding of the game," praised Williamson in a media interaction via Zoom on Wednesday.
It’s still early days in Gill’s career, but there is already talk that India have a future all-format captain in him. “You could see the quality that he has. I’m sure it’d be learning a lot from a number of leaders that he’s been able to play under for a few years. And, you know, seems like a fantastic guy, and he has a really great understanding of the game. So, you know, I suppose naturally, there might be leadership positions that might come this way. But we’ll have to see,” Williamson felt.
“To have those experiences that you need as a young, extremely talented player and really put it together on the international stage and endorsed obviously in the IPL as well like I say it was more of a matter of time and a very special place. He (Shubman Gill) is a big player for our team,” he added.
The 32-year-old was naturally all praise for his new captain Hardik Pandya. “I’ve played against Hardik for a number of years. He is a world-class player. I played against him last year, he had an incredible season as a leader and as a player. So, really excited to be playing under Hardik..great energy,” said Williamson.
The Kiwi has moved to the Ahmedabad-based GT this year after having been a part of, and having led Sunrisers Hyderabad for the past few seasons. “I had a wonderful time at Sunrises for a number of years. And as we see throughout the years, there’s always movement with players and I’m really excited to be involved here at the Titans and meet the team,” he said.
Does he still wish to lead an IPL team? “Leadership or captaincy is a position that I’ve been involved in over a number of years with different teams. It is not something that I have to have. You want to do as much as you can with a team (in any role). It’s nice to mix it up as well. I did it for a long time. And I’m excited to be here and I’m playing under Hardik as I have been playing under Tim (Southee) in the Test format in New Zealand,” replied Williamson.
"It certainly does not switch the cricketing brain off. (It’s) quite a natural thing to engage for me. Making decisions has been a large part of my game. But when I started out as captain, I always knew it was not a forever job. I do enjoy being involved in leadership qualities though," he added.
