‘Virat Bhai is my current favorite cricketer’- Shubhman Gill heaps praises for Virat Kohli

India’s young batting prodigy, Shubhman Gill, has scored truckloads of loads this year in the white ball format, whether in the International Cricket or the IPL, Shubman’s bat has only amassed huge runs. The young Indian batsman is termed as the next big thing in world cricket and is expected to take forward the baton of India's batting legacy.

Such has been the effect of these young lad’s shot-making and consistency in such a young career that many cricket pundits expect him to take Virat Kohli’s legacy forward as Virat himself did post Sachin’s retirement. When recently asked about his favourite cricketer, Shubhman Gill replied, “My current favourite Cricketer is Virat Bhai”. 

Though it must not have come as a surprise to many cricket fans, it just shows the impact Virat Kohli has had over the current crop of Indian cricketers just like Sachin had on the previous generations of Indian cricketers. Virat Kohli’s elite mentality and fitness regime make him a perfect role model for young cricketers, and it is not surprising that Gill is imbibing the same journey when it comes to fitness and work ethics.

Can Shubman repeat what Virat did for Sachin?

Shubman Gill has scored 1986 runs in 37 matches he played so far in his career. The star opener needs 14 more to complete 2000 runs in ODIs. If Shubman Gill reaches the 14-run mark in IND vs NZ ODI World Cup 2023 match, he'll break Hashim Amla's WORLD RECORD and will become the fastest batter in the history of ODI cricket to score 2000 runs. 

“He has carried the burden of the nation on his shoulders for 28 years and now it’s time that we carry him on our shoulders”. We all remember these iconic lines for Sachin after winning the 2011 World Cup for India and Virat played a vital role in that World Cup by hitting a century and scoring vital 35 runs in the World Cup final against Sri Lanka.

Now it is time for Gill to do the same for Virat Kohli as it could be the last of his World Cup and he would love to win it on his home turf and end the long World Cup drought just like it panned out for Sachin in his last World Cup.