Young India opener Shubman Gill is set to play for his new IPL franchise, Gujarat Titans, who drafted in the 22-year-old for INR 8 crore before the mega-auction. With the T20 World Cup in mind later this year in Australia, where Gill made his Test debut for India, he’d want to perform well in the IPL 2022 to throw his name in the hat too.
Gill had been at KKR over the last four seasons but was released after last season. The right-hander has played in 10 Tests so far, including scoring a terrific 91 in the Brisbane Test last year. He has had some world-class opening partners in the IPL and for Team India.
When asked about his favourite opening partner in IPL, Shubman Gill said: “When I started opening in IPL, my first opening partner was Chris Lynn and we had some good partnerships. I really enjoyed batting with him. For some matches, Sunil Narine opened with me. There is no specific name as such, but the right-left combination works the best.”
Shubman Gill has also opened with Rohit Sharma, the now India captain, in Test cricket. Both the batters have been revered for their elegance while playing the pull shot.
“Pull shot is one shot that I have always liked. I recently talked to Rohit Sharma, it was about something tactically. I asked him when he hits the ball, what goes in his mind and how does he read the bowlers’ mind? There was something particular that I wanted to talk to Rohit Sharma about. It was not about opening the batting,” the right-hander said.
A first-choice opener in the WTC final last year, Gill has lost his place in the Test side with both KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal getting ahead of him in the pecking order. He missed the series in England last year and in South Africa due to injuries, and upon returning he was benched recently for both Tests against Sri Lanka.
Reflecting on this, the 22-year-old said: “When you miss a tour, it is always disappointing but the injury is something you do not have control over. I am young and I will have opportunities going ahead. But when you miss series against England and South Africa, it is a big thing as you always want to perform as a youngster in overseas Tests.”
Gujarat Titans will kick-off their IPL journey on March 28 against the other IPL debutants, Lucknow Super Giants.
