In a thrilling match on Friday night, the Gujarat Titans (GT) secured their place in the final of the 2023 Indian Premier League. They emerged victorious by a massive 62-run margin against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in Qualifier 2, held in Ahmedabad.
The Gujarat Titans displayed an exceptional performance, particularly with the bat, as they posted an imposing total of 233/3 in their allotted 20 overs. The standout performer for the Titans was Shubman Gill, who played a scintillating innings, scoring an astonishing 129 runs off just 60 deliveries.
In response, the defending champions, Mumbai Indians, were bowled out for 171 runs. Mohit Sharma was the star of the Titans’ bowling attack, claiming a remarkable five-wicket haul. With this impressive victory, the Gujarat Titans have set themselves up for an intense clash in the IPL 2023 final.
Shubman Gill’s outstanding performance left fans and former cricketers astonished. The 23-year-old displayed an incredible batting showcase, smashing a total of 10 sixes and seven fours during his innings. It took him 32 deliveries to reach his half-century, and he accelerated even further, reaching his next fifty in just 17 balls.
Notably, Shubman Gill currently holds the position of the highest run-scorer in the season. It is highly likely that he will retain this position even after the final match, considering that the next highest run-scorer from the Chennai Super Kings, their opponents in the title clash, lags behind by over 200 runs in comparison to Shubman’s impressive tally.
Shubman Gill’s ascent in the cricketing world has been nothing short of remarkable, as he has consistently displayed exceptional performances across various formats of the game. In recent months, he has achieved the incredible feat of scoring centuries in all three formats.
Earlier this year, he notably recorded a double century in One Day Internationals (ODIs), showcasing his immense talent and potential. Moreover, his notable contributions during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy further solidified his reputation as a promising player.
Looking ahead, Shubman Gill is expected to open the batting alongside Rohit Sharma in the highly anticipated World Test Championship final. The prestigious final is scheduled to take place from June 7th to 11th next month. Gill’s inclusion in such a significant match is a testament to his skills and the faith placed in him by the team management. Fans and cricket enthusiasts eagerly await his performance in this crucial encounter.
Shubman Gill’s childhood coach, Karsan Ghavri, has recently made a noteworthy comment regarding the progress of his protégé. In the process, he drew a comparison to another talented batter, Prithvi Shaw, who was also part of the U19 World Cup-winning team in 2018. While Gill has emerged as a crucial member of the Indian national team across all formats, Shaw has struggled to secure a place in the Indian setup.
Furthermore, Shaw’s performance in the IPL 2023 season with the Delhi Capitals was rather forgettable, as he managed to score only 106 runs in eight matches.
Speaking on the matter, Ghavri expressed, “They were in the same team that won the U19 World Cup in 2018, right? Today, where is Prithvi Shaw and where is Shubman Gill? They are in two different categories.” Ghavri’s remark highlights the contrasting trajectories of the two players since their U19 success.
Karsan Ghavri, Shubman Gill’s childhood coach, has further elaborated on his views regarding Prithvi Shaw, emphasizing the importance of discipline and temperament at the international level.
Ghavri expressed that Shaw possesses a belief in his star status, which may hinder his growth. He emphasized the need for Shaw to understand that in international cricket, regardless of the format or level of competition, a batsman can be dismissed by just one delivery.
“Shaw thinks he is a star and nobody can touch him. But he needs to understand that at the international level, irrespective of whether you are playing T20, 50 over or the Test match or even the Ranji Trophy, it takes only one delivery to get you out,” said Gill’s coach.
Ghavri stressed the significance of discipline and constant self-improvement. He highlighted the need for a batsman to occupy the crease and display patience, as it ultimately leads to scoring more runs. Ghavri’s comments suggest that Shaw’s approach and mindset may require adjustment to succeed consistently at the highest level of the game.
Despite the critical assessment, Karsan Ghavri also offered words of motivation for Prithvi Shaw, acknowledging that there is still time for the young right-handed batsman to address his weaknesses and improve. Ghavri emphasized that despite the contrasting paths taken by Shaw and Gill, Shaw still has the opportunity to work on his flaws and harness his potential.
Ghavri highlighted that both Shaw and Gill are of the same age, indicating that there is still ample time for Shaw to make the necessary adjustments and realize his potential. He urged Shaw to put in the hard work and dedication required to improve his game, suggesting that it is not too late for him to make a significant impact in his cricketing career.