Former India player Aakash Chopra has lauded Shubman Gill for playing a mature knock in the first ODI against England in Nagpur on Thursday, February 6. He opined that the Punjab batter’s century in the recent Ranji Trophy clash against Karnataka helped his cause.
India bowled England out for 248 after Jos Buttler won the toss and opted to bat. Gill scored 87 runs off 96 deliveries in the chase as the Men in Blue registered a four-wicket win with 68 balls to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ the former India opener praised Gill for playing a responsible knock.
Shubman Gill walked out to bat in the fifth over when Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a 22-ball 15. Although Rohit Sharma (2 off 7) got out soon after, the Indian vice-captain added 94 runs for the third wicket with Shreyas Iyer (59 off 36) and 108 runs with Axar Patel (52 off 47) for the fourth wicket to take the hosts to a relatively easy win.
In the same video, Aakash Chopra appreciated Shubman Gill’s strokeplay against the short ball during the first ODI.
However, the cricketer-turned-commentator questioned the Indian team management’s decision to demote Gill to No. 3, with Yashasvi Jaiswal opening with Rohit Sharma.
Aakash Chopra reckoned that the change in the batting order was unnecessary. He pointed out that another batting change wouldn’t have been required had Yashasvi Jaiswal batted at No. 3, with Virat Kohli taking that position once he is fit and available.
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