As India’s cricketing icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma approach the twilight of their illustrious careers, the question of who will take over the mantle of leadership and batting prowess has been a hot topic. Veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla has offered his two cents on this crucial matter, identifying two young guns as potential successors – Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Chawla, who has witnessed the rise and fall of numerous cricketing stars over his long and decorated career, expressed his confidence in the two young talents during an interview on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast. He believes both Gill and Gaikwad possess the potential to become the cornerstones of India’s batting lineup in the years to come.
The former Indian spinner emphasized Gill’s strong technique as a key factor in his success. ‘Shubman Gill – because of his technique. Whenever one goes through a rough patch, a technically sound batter can overcome it. Any batter with a strong foundation cannot remain out of form for too long. So, Shubman Gill for sure,’ Chawla stated, confidently backing the young batsman. Gill, at just 25, has already established himself as a vital cog in the Indian team, having amassed a respectable number of runs in all three formats of the game. With 25 Tests, 47 ODIs, and 21 T20Is under his belt, Gill boasts an impressive tally of 1,492 runs in Tests, 2,338 in ODIs, and 578 in T20Is, including four Test centuries, six ODI centuries (one double century), and one T20I century.
While Gaikwad, at 27, has faced some challenges with injuries and selection issues, Chawla remains optimistic about his potential. ‘It [getting dropped or injured] is part and parcel of the game. It will keep happening. But, whenever he has got the opportunity, he has looked different. For me, these two players (Gill and Gaikwad) are special,’ Chawla asserted, recognizing Gaikwad’s ability to shine when given the chance. Gaikwad has played six ODIs and 23 T20Is, scoring 115 and 633 runs, respectively, with one T20I century.
As Kohli and Rohit inch closer to retirement, Gill and Gaikwad offer a glimmer of hope for the future of Indian cricket, their potential ready to be unleashed on the world stage. With their talent and dedication, they are poised to carry the torch forward and usher in a new era of Indian dominance in the world of cricket.
