Shubman Gill is writing a new chapter in Indian cricket history. With 722 runs in the ongoing Test series against England, the young opener has not only emerged as the backbone of India’s batting lineup but has also sparked strong reactions from cricket experts.
Gill Outshines Legends in England
After his heroics in Birmingham and Manchester, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar made a bold statement: “India missed Kohli and Rohit, but not their runs.” His comment came after Gill’s remarkable performance in Manchester, where he helped India escape with a draw to keep the series alive.
Manjrekar’s words reflect a growing sentiment—Gill is no longer a rising star; he’s already among the elites. Speaking on JioStar, Manjrekar applauded how India stood strong in the absence of three senior players—Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin—who were either out injured or had recently retired from Test cricket.
Trott Admits England Couldn’t Have Done It
Former England batter Jonathan Trott joined the conversation and admitted that had England lost senior players like India did, the outcome would’ve been different.
“Take Joe Root or any two senior batters out of our side, and we wouldn’t survive,” Trott said. “But India have kept the series alive, thanks largely to Shubman Gill.”
Gill is now just 16 runs behind Joe Root’s 737-run tally in the 2021 India-England series—making him the second-highest scorer in a single Test series between the two nations.
Manjrekar’s Bold Take on Kohli and Rohit’s Form
While some may argue that India still needs the experience of Kohli and Rohit, Manjrekar explained why their absence wasn’t felt on the scoreboard.
“Rohit averaged around 10 in the last two series, and Kohli has been averaging just 30 over the past five years,” he said. “Their presence was a loss, yes, but their contributions weren’t as impactful. Shubman has stepped in and filled that gap brilliantly.”
With one final Test left at The Oval, all eyes will be on Gill. Can he overtake Joe Root’s record and make this series his own?
India’s tour of England has been many things—tough, thrilling, and full of surprises—but more than anything, it’s been a coming-of-age story for Shubman Gill.
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