Former Pakistan great Wasim Akram has heaped praise on promising batsman Shubman Gill after a blockbuster season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 with runners-up Gujarat Titans (GT).
Drawing a parallel between Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar and Gill, the former Pakistan captain hailed the young opener as the future star of Indian cricket.
“When I bowl to a player like Gill, even in T20 format, it’s like I am bowling to Sachin in one-day cricket in the first 10 overs, when only two fielders were allowed outside the 30-yard circle. If I had to bowl to Jayasuriya or Kaluwitharna, I knew I had a chance. I can get them out as they hit on every ball. But, players like Sachin and Gill, they play proper cricketing shots. I think he is the kind of player who can score in all three formats consistently. He is a future superstar of world cricket,” said Akram during an interview.
“Gill’s basics are good. I don’t understand how his previous IPL franchise released him. Not realising his potential, not realising he can be the future captain not just for his franchise but perhaps eventually for India too. And not realising that this guy is going to win them tournament, not just games,” Akram added.