Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar recalled Shubman Gill’s first net session and revealed how the youngster impressed former head coach Ravi Shastri. Bangar said Gill timed the ball to perfection against the team’s throwdown specialists.

Meanwhile, Gill scored a fine knock of 87 runs off just 96 balls in the opening ODI against England at Nagpur. Thus, he played an instrumental role in India’s four-wicket win as they chased down 249 runs with 68 balls to spare. Gill was also awarded Player of the Match for his fine knock.

Gill made his ODI debut for India against New Zealand in 2019 at the Seddon Park but he was dismissed after scoring only nine runs. Since then, Gill has performed consistently in all three formats of the game.

Bangar revealed that Ravi Shastri said they have got the services of one complete player for India when he saw the youngster for the first time in the nets.

Sanjay Bangar said on Star Sports, “The first glimpse of Shubman Gill we had during his first net session for India, there is a tradition in India that during the nets session, if you want that approval, you will have to do well against throwdown specialists, who bowl really fast.

“And unhone uss nets session mein, jo ek screen test hota haina, aise patakhe bajaye the (during that session, which is a screen test of sorts, he produced such incredible shots). Ravi Shastri was like, ek tayaar player mil gaya humein (we have got a ready-made player). Such was his first impact,” the 52-year-old added.

Gill has scored 2384 runs in 48 ODI matches at an impressive average of 58.9 and he would look to carry the good show in the upcoming Champions Trophy.