IPL 2025: Aakash Chopra Praises Shubman Gill's Growth
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Synopsis
On April 7, Aakash Chopra commended Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill for his remarkable progress after a stellar performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad, securing a seven-wicket victory with a crucial 61 not out.
Key Takeaways
- Shubman Gill played a vital anchor role in the chase.
- Washington Sundar's debut performance was commendable.
- Chopra emphasized the importance of an anchor in T20 matches.
- GT's bowling depth is solid despite the absence of certain players.
- Washington Sundar adds valuable versatility to the team.
New Delhi, April 7 (NationPress) Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill is making significant strides after his match-winning innings of 61 not out against Sunrisers Hyderabad, leading to an impressive seven-wicket victory on Sunday.
While chasing a target of 153, Gill assumed the role of an anchor, adopting a cautious strategy after the early dismissals of Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler. He formed a vital 90-run partnership with Washington Sundar for the third wicket, helping the team regain momentum in their chase.
Sundar narrowly missed his half-century on his debut for the franchise, but his contribution, alongside Sherfane Rutherford's explosive 16-ball 35 not out, which included six fours and a six, ensured a comfortable victory with 20 balls remaining.
"You have to be the anchor. Sometimes we undervalue the importance of an anchor in a T20 innings because we see so many shots being played. Especially when batting first, you're mentally chasing a 220-plus target. But now, when you're chasing a smaller total in the second innings, on a pitch that's stopping a little bit and you lose two early wickets, then you need this kind of knock - where you're trying to keep everything along the ground. Risk is something you don't want to take too often," Chopra stated on JioHotstar.
"Shubman Gill is improving in leaps and bounds. He’s incorporated the sweep shot into his game - something he didn’t previously employ. He’s developed a stunning inside-out shot as well. Moreover, it’s not just about the two points they gained from this match; it’s also about the emergence of Washington Sundar as a batter. Earlier, it was all about one-two-three in their batting order. Now, they have another arrow in their quiver - something we didn’t think was available to them," he added.
The experienced cricketer further praised Sundar's performance, noting that the all-rounder adds another bowling option and a left-handed batting presence to their lineup.
"Washington was part of SRH for a long time. They invested Rs 8 crore to secure his services but didn’t provide him with a fair opportunity. Even at GT, he was picked but didn’t play until today - and he still didn’t bowl. It’s quite strange how he’s been treated at the IPL level. However, what I found exciting and impressive from both GT’s and Washington's perspectives is that he now provides them with another option," Chopra commented.
"In their top three, they have one left-hander, Sai Sudharsan, who bats deep. After that, it was primarily an all right-handed lineup until Rahul Tewatia. Now, with Washington Sundar, they have another left-handed option. And the bowling lineup remains strong because Ishant Sharma bowled his full quota of overs, went for quite a few runs and still, Washington wasn’t even needed. They managed to restrict the opposition to 153. This indicates their bowling depth is solid.
"I believe we will see Washington participating in many more matches from here on and playing a more significant role too, including with the ball. His bowling is highly underrated. If you give him the new ball in the powerplay, you will find him to be economical," he concluded.
