Ex-India Batter Betrays Virat Kohli To Address This Star As ‘Complete Players In ODIs

India’s former batter, Sanjay Manjrekar, has praised Shubman Gill for his impressive and unbeaten century against Bangladesh during the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Gill, in an assessment of Manjrekar, has given an impression of staying around for the next 10 to 15 years, which Shreyas Iyer hasn’t. Despite losing wickets at the other end, the Punjab batter held one end and carried the blue brigade over the line.

Sanjay Manjrekar praises Shubman Gill’s impact on India vs Bangladesh

After early struggles against the new ball, Rohit Sharma opened his arms and went with the flow to smash 41 runs in 36 deliveries at a strike rate of 113. The surface was a tricky one and Virat Kohli’s first boundary after more than 30 deliveries was a prove of that. But Gill, even with 60% of his ability, has done the job.

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“He [Gill] is batting at the right position to make a huge impact. When he gets a hundred, like today, it seems like there is plenty left in the tank. It was like 60% of him is enough to get a hundred like this, and he stays till the end.” Sanjay Manjrekar expressed this during a discussion on ESPNcricinfo Match Day.

“That is the difference between Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill, that Gill will take you right till the end. He is somebody who you think is going to be around for 10-15 years. Shreyas Iyer, despite his obvious talent, doesn't give you that impression.” The veteran Indian batter addressed.

Gill remained not out on 101 runs against Bangladesh and guided the Rohit-led side over the line. One of his two sixes went into the second tier of the stands at the deep mid-wicket against Tanzim Hasan in the ninth over.

“Some of the shots he played, the good-length ball he hit, and it went into the second tier, the big game is at his beck and call. Can he be better in 50-over cricket as a batter? I don't think so, what can be better than this?” Manjrekar noted.

Sanjay Manjrekar reveals the specialty of Shubman Gill’s batting against Bangladesh

The new ODI vice-captain of India for the tournament came into the event with form in his side, thanks to two half-centuries and one century in the third ODI against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. He carried the same form with his slowest ODI fifty in 69 balls and the century in 125 balls, the slowest for an Indian batter since the 2019 World Cup.

“He's got the class to do it (change gears). India is blessed with (a top three) who are also Test batters, so they can play different gears. Yashasvi Jaiswal, when he comes in eventually, is also a Test batter. So if the ball is swinging around in overseas conditions, they can see the new ball through and then handle the various situations. Shubman Gill is that kind of a player.” The Mumbai-born explained.

The 25-year-old batter has now cracked 2688 ODI runs in 51 innings at an average of 62.51 and a strike rate of more than 100, thanks to eight centuries and 15 half-centuries at the best score of 208 runs.

Anil Kumble impressed with Shubman Gill’s technique against spinners

India's former leg spinner, Anil Kumble, loved Gill’s resistance against the spinners, as he used his feet against both Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain. Against both the spinners, he made just 34 runs off the 56 balls, out of which 28 singles helped him in ticking along.

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“The other thing that was noticeable today was generally, when he sees the off-spinner, he steps out and launches it over long-on, midwicket. He didn't want to take the risk perhaps, because of the pitch. He was constantly looking to just ease through and ensure he was there till the end. That was very noticeable even when the run rate dropped a little bit.” Kumble highlighted.

India’s second game of the tournament will be against Pakistan at the same venue on February 23, and Gill will hope to carry the same form in the second encounter.