Former South African batter Hashim Amla has backed Shubman Gill to be India’s next superstar in the ODI format. Gill has performed consistently in the 50-over version and he is currently the number one ODI batter in the ICC rankings.
The Indian opener scored 259 runs in three ODI matches against England at an average of 86.33 and thus bagged the Player of the Series award. Gill continued his purple patch in the Champions Trophy, returning with scores of 101 and 46 in the opening two matches against Bangladesh and Pakistan respectively.
Gill has scored 2734 runs in 52 ODI matches at an impressive average of 62.14 and thus he has ticked the right boxes for the team. Amla named Ryan Rickelton, who scored a fine century in the opening game against Afghanistan, as one South African batter to look out for.
“For India, you have got Shubham Gill; Rishabh Pant has been around for a while. For South Africa, we have Ryan Rickelton who has done really well off late,” Amla, who is playing for South Africa Masters in the International Masters League, told PTI Videos.
“Every country has about 2-3 cricketers who are going to come through and I think that’s pretty normal, that you see that every five years some youngster poke in the head through international cricket, and possibly be the next best, big thing,” he added.
Amla, who was known for his solid batting technique, praised Gill for his consistency and added that he makes a potent trio with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
“He is a brilliant player, the way he started in one-day cricket, he has been exceptional. He has been a huge part of India’s success at top of the order.”
“To have him and Rohit (Sharma) at the top, it’s a very potent and dangerous opening partnership, and then they have got Virat (Kohli) at No 3.”
Amla concluded by saying that the T20 World Cup finalists – India and South Africa – have a good chance of going all the way in the ongoing eight-team tournament.
“India have obviously a very good chance, they have a fantastic team over the (last) 15-odd years,” he said.
“South Africa have (a) great chance (too), they have fantastic batting and bowling and whole unit looks very well balanced, they have a excellent chance to make it to top four and then hopefully win it.”
India will next take on New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on 2nd March.
