NZ vs IND 2022: I have been a big fan of his since the Under-19 World Cup – Simon Doull lauds Shubman Gill

Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull has revealed he has been a big fan of Shubman Gill since the Under-19 World Cup. Gill first hogged the limelight in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand. The youngster had finished the tournament as the second-highest run-getter with 372 runs in five innings at an average of 124 and a strike of 112.39.

Thus, he was awarded the Player of the tournament for his fine batting show. Since then, Gill has taken giant strides in his career as he has made his ODI and Test debut for India. The right-hander had scored a fine knock of 91 runs in the historic Gabba Test match against Australia in 2020-21.

Meanwhile, Gill scored a fine fifty in the first ODI against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland on Friday. However, his efforts went in vain as India went on to lose by seven wickets. Subsequently, the youngster scored 45 runs in the second ODI at Seddon Park, Hamilton on Sunday before rain played spoilsport.

While reviewing the game on Prime Video, Doull was all praise for Gill, saying: “I have been a big fan of his since the under-19 World Cup here in New Zealand. I sent a message to a couple of people and I said that Shubman Gill is a better player than Prithvi Shaw, which was quite controversial at the time in that under-19 World Cup, but I have really loved seeing the development of Shubman over the last couple of years.”

Gill is opening the innings with Shikhar Dhawan in the absence of players like Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. The renowned commentator feels it is a difficult position for the Punjab batter to cement.

“It’s a tough position to cement. There are so many good players that are looking to open the batting for India and so many good options. I really like Shubman Gill. With the breakthrough at the IPL earlier this year, it was probably his best season, he just looked a little more comfortable, I think now he is feeling like he belongs at this level a little bit more.”

Gill is comfortable while playing against the short-pitched deliveries and looked at ease against the New Zealand bowlers on Sunday.

“The feet move beautifully. Some of these shots down the ground are exceptional. The one thing that he does do very well is that he plays the short ball and the quick bowling very well. He is comfortable with that and I think that’s going to be one of the keys for him moving forward.”

The third and final ODI will be played on Wednesday at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.