Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has lauded centurion Shubman Gill, who dug deep, scored the slowest ODI hundred and India’s slowest in the last six years and steered India’s chase and remained unbeaten on 101 off 129 balls. Gill hit nine fours and two sixes in his knock.
“For the past three years, since Shubman Gill came to this Indian side, he has been trying to be the next Virat Kohli. He is trying to take that legacy forward,” Mohammad Hafeez said on “Game On Hai.”
Hafeez showered praise on the maturity the 25-year-old has shown against Bangladesh.
“It was his eighth ODI hundred but it was one of his slowest centuries,” said Hafeez.
“But the thing that made me very happy was that he batted according to the situation.
“On this pitch the requirement was to absorb the pressure, to control the game.
“He played against his nature (attacking cricket) and instead of that he produced the match-winning performance. Which to me is heartening to see that someone who is just 25 is controlling the game very well.
“He knows when to attack and when he needs to absorb the pressure.
“He is one of the player who likes to perform at the big stage. He took the responsibility and finished the game. He has controlled the game beautifully,” said Hafeez.
Gill shared 69 off 59 balls with captain Rohit Sharma in an opening partnership that put India ahead of the run rate required, and 87 off 98 with Lokesh Rahul, who was 41 not out and hit the winning runs, a hook for six.
“Gill, we know the class he has,” Sharma said. “What he showed us, it shouldn’t surprise anyone. What was good to see was he was there till the end.”
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