Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Parthiv Patel has showered praise on Shubman Gill for buying into India’s attacking approach in the team’s opening game of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Wednesday.

Chasing a small target of 58 runs, Gill scored an unbeaten knock of 20 runs off just nine balls with the help of two fours and one six. Patel, who is the Gujarat Titans’ batting coach, highlighted that Gill doesn’t bat with the same approach in the IPL.

Gill had scored 650 runs in 15 matches of IPL 2025 while leading the Gujarat Titans at an impressive strike rate of 155.87.

Parthiv Patel said on his YouTube Channel, “Shubman Gill went for a drive on the first ball, and then hit a four on the next ball after stepping out of the crease. He also hit a six in the same over. We don’t see this approach when he plays for Gujarat Titans. He takes some time there, but here, India played with eight batters, and their approach is to play attacking cricket.”

On the other hand, former Indian batter Ajay Jadeja said both Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma would have dreamt of opening the innings for India together.

Jadeja said on Sony Sports, “I was thinking about these two friends (Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma). While growing up, you are a hooligan in your city when you are playing for your club, you beat a school team like that, and they have done that at the international level, even if it’s the UAE. They have been able to live that dream, that they would finish games like this when they would bat together for India.

“I am sure both of them would have dreamt about this. Both of them have grown up together. I think they will play a lot of cricket, but this match will definitely be memorable for them, as they chased down the score before the powerplay got over.”

India will next take on arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, on Sunday.