India’s start to 2019 in the limited overs format has been anything but straightforward. The entire preparation for the series against Australia and New Zealand has been marred by the controversy surrounding Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul’s demeaning comments on Koffee with Karan. This led to them being suspended from the Australia and New Zealand series. The immediate effect was probably seen in the first ODI against Australia as India collapsed to a 34-run defeat and seemingly looked to have missed out on Hardik’s late blitz that might have helped them cross the finishing line.
In retrospect, however, there might be one positive to have come out of this incident and that positive is Shubman Gill. The prolific 19-year old earned his first call up to the national side as he was named as Rahul’s replacement for the New Zealand tour beginning on 23rd January. He has been recognized for his outstanding performances on the domestic circuit in the ongoing 2018-19 season where he has piled on runs for his side Punjab in the Ranji Trophy. In 9 innings he scored a phenomenal 728 runs at an average of 104 with the highest score of 268. These performances have come off the back of a dream 2018 for the young lad from Mohali.
He first got the limelight when he lit up the 2018 Under-19 World Cup as India bulldozed their way to the title. Gill played a crucial role in this triumph as he scored 372 runs in only 6 matches at a strike-rate of 112.38. He was awarded the Player of the Tournament for his run-scoring spree. His performances helped him bag a lucrative contract in the IPL after being picked up by the Kolkata Knight Riders. In his first season among the heavyweights of the world, he did not disappoint. He scored 203 runs in 13 matches at an excellent strike-rate of 146.04 and was an integral part of the KKR team.
A batsman with great technique and fearless attitude, Gill has been termed as the ‘Next Big Thing’ in Indian cricket along with Prithvi Shaw. Having mastered his craft under the tutelage of none other than Rahul Dravid, he will be raring to go should he get an opportunity in New Zealand. The chance of making his debut in a country where he first got recognized as a talent to watch out for will be extra special for the 19-year old right-hand batsman. He is a player who is getting fast-tracked into the national side and will no doubt be waiting to prove his mettle as a solid and dependable middle-order batsman in a side full of batting heavyweights. The future is bright for him, and this might only be the beginning of a career that will bring laurels to the nation.
Shubman Gill, a batsman who oozes class and confidence whenever he steps on the field is now, a cap away from fulfilling a lifelong dream.
