Aakash Chopra praises Shubman Gill I aakash chopra lauds indian opener shubman gill says is the picture of india’s

Southampton: Aakash Chopra has heaped praise on the young batsman after Shubman Gill gave Virat Kohli-led Indian team a solid first innings start in the World Test Championship final. Chopra has made his mark as a cricket analyst after retirement. The former Indian opener heaped praise on young Gill, who shared a 62-run opening partnership with Rohit Sharma in the WTC final between India and New Zealand in Southampton.

Both the Indian openers competed against the New Zealand fast bowlers. Chopra said that Shubman Gill is the face of Indian youth in the modern era. While interacting with Star Sports, cricketer-turned-commentator Chopra spoke about how Gill played his innings in the WTC final as planned. He said, ‘This 21-year-old player is the picture of India’s 21st century. A few days back the planning started what will happen in the pitch and what they have to do.

Chopra further said, ‘Gill’s game plan was that Tim Southee and Trent Boult would bowl and they did not have much pace. So I have to come forward on the pitch and play. Who plays outside the crease in the first over of a Test match, the first World Cup final of your life. Chopra noticed that Gill was coming outside the crease, but was not hitting the big shots.

The former Indian batsman pointed out that the young Shubman did not play an aerial shot even once and tried to strengthen his defense even as he went ahead. Gill scored 28 runs in 64 balls in his first international match on English soil. Chopra said, ‘He came to bat with a great game plan that he will play ahead. He will not be bothered by the short deliveries as the bowlers don’t have much pace. If a 21-year-old batsman shows such a game plan on foreign soil, then you can feel that his thinking is full of confidence.