‘He’s doing a Virat Kohli’: Dinesh Karthik hails Shubman Gill’s calm dominance against Australia in rain-soaked clash | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: Shubman Gill’s calm yet powerful batting performance in the rain-marred first T20I against Australia in Canberra has reignited comparisons with Virat Kohli’s characteristic composure and efficiency. The Indian vice-captain looked in complete control at the top of the order, remaining unbeaten on 37 off just 20 balls before the skies opened and the game was finally called off.Go beyond borders with our YouTube channel. REGISTER NOW!Gill’s innings, characterized by precise timing and effortless strokeplay, reflected a growing maturity that became a defining characteristic of his batting. Even without taking excessive risks, he maintained a strike rate of 185, highlighting his ability to dominate bowlers without appearing aggressive.
Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik was among those impressed, drawing a stark comparison between Gill’s style and that of former skipper Virat Kohli. Speaking to Cricbuzz, Karthik said, “That’s what Virat Kohli does in ODIs. You’ll never know where he is until you look at the scoreboard. You’ll think he’s only been there for a while and he’ll be on 45.”The veteran cricketer noted that Gill’s innings reflected Kohli’s characteristic ability to score freely while appearing unhurried.Karthik also spoke about the intense competition within India’s T20 setup, acknowledging that Gill’s place at the top of the order is far from certain.“I’m sure he is aware of the kind of players he is excluding, starting with Sanju (Samson), Yashasvi (Jaiswal) and the others like Ruturaj and KL Rahul. It’s not easy being a T20 player right now – you have to be consistent, exceptionally talented and almost play a match-winning shot every two or three games. That’s the kind of depth India has,” Karthik added.Karthik believes Gill’s growing leadership stature – as captain in Tests and ODIs and vice-captain in T20Is – has further boosted his self-confidence.“Him being Indian captain and vice-captain will give him a lot of confidence. It helps you to a certain extent, but then you have to go out there and perform the runs, which he did well today,” Karthik added.For India, Gill’s evolving balance of flair and focus could be key as they prepare for next year’s T20 World Cup.
