IPL 2023: GT skipper Hardik Pandya mesmerized by Shubman Gill’s scintillating batting

Shubman Gill had the potential to achieve great things from the beginning, but the tracer of the bullet speed with which this new young Indian sensation has taken a flier in the game of cricket has left even his most ardent fans in amusement. No one wouldn’t have dreamt of the youngster having the kind of year he’s had so far.

After scoring his maiden ODI ton in Thiruvananthapuram against Sri Lanka in January 2023, it has become child’s play for Gill to smash a ton at will. The latest one came at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium in Qualifier 2 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 against Mumbai Indians on Friday (May 26). The 23-year-old batter hit 129 off just 60 balls as he played a match-winning knock to help Gujarat Titans (GT) hammer MI and set up a final with Chennai Super Kings(CSK).

It was Gill’s third century in the ongoing IPL, and he also surpassed Faf du Plessis’ tally to become the top run-getter of IPL 2023. After the game, GT skipper Hardik Pandya showered rich praises on Gill, saying that this was one of the best knocks he has seen in a while.

“Today’s innings was one of the finest, he never looked rushed. It felt like someone was throwing balls and he was hitting. He will be a superstar in international and franchise cricket,” said Hardik in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Pandya was in awe with the clarity of thought the youngster had in such early stages of his career. He said, “I think the clarity he [Shubman Gill] carried, he is in a great place when it comes to the mindset.”

After being asked to bat first, Gujarat started steadily, with Wriddhiman Saha and Gill being cautious and scoring the runs on the merit of the ball. After being got dropped on 30 by Tim David, Gill switched gears and went bonkers, slamming every bowler out of the park. His third ton (129) in four innings, helped GT put up a mammoth 233-3 in their stipulated 20 overs.

Defending the total, GT bundled out MI for 171 in 18.2 overs. Mohit Sharma (5/10) starred with the ball, returning with a five-wicket haul, while Rashid Khan (2/33) and Mohammad Shami (2/41) claimed two scalps each.

With the victory, GT set up a clash with CSK in the IPL 2023 final at the same venue on Sunday (May 28).

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May 28, 2023 at 11:46AM