Shubman Gill is widely regarded as the next superstar of Indian cricket. Suresh Raina has praised the young right-handed opener for his incredible development over the past year, which has established him as a versatile player across all formats leading up to the 2023 ICC World Cup. Raina suggests that Gill's current strike rate and form could lead to a tournament performance as legendary as Rohit Sharma's in 2019.
The former all-rounder emphasized that Gill is now a cornerstone of the Indian team, driven by the goal of becoming the next Virat Kohli. Raina believes Gill already carries himself with the confidence of a top-tier player and expects him to be a pivotal figure during the World Cup, predicting that his fame will only grow after the event.
Raina highlighted Gill's impressive hand speed and current rhythm, noting that he has become a nightmare for spinners. He also mentioned that when fast bowlers fail to swing the ball, Gill effortlessly finds the boundary with precise straight shots or flicks. According to Raina, Gill's hunger for success is limitless, and the 50-over format will serve as the perfect stage to elevate his game, further proving his innate leadership qualities.
Raina observed a significant improvement in Gill's approach to spin; where he previously played too early and gave catches away despite good timing, he now shows more patience and better placement. This adjustment allows him to rotate the strike more effectively and find boundaries during the middle overs, keeping the momentum alive.