Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez lavished praise on India vice-captain Shubman Gill who smashed an unbeaten century against Bangladesh in Rohit Sharma-led side's Champions Trophy 2025 opener clash. It was the slowest ODI hundred by the batter and India’s slowest in the last six years.
Hafeez believes that Gill who is often compared with India batting great Virat Kohli is trying to take former India captain's legacy forward.
“For the past three years, since Shubman Gill came to this Indian side, he has been trying to be the next Virat Kohli. He is trying to take that legacy forward,” Mohammad Hafeez said on “Game On Hai.”
Gill who came to bat alongside Rohit played an unbeaten knock of 101 runs that helped India to register a dominating six-wicket win in their first league match of the marquee event. Hafeez showered praise on the maturity the 25-year-old has shown against Bangladesh.
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“It was his eighth ODI hundred but it was one of his slowest centuries,” said Hafeez.
“But the thing that made me very happy was that he batted according to the situation.
“On this pitch the requirement was to absorb the pressure, to control the game.
“He played against his nature (attacking cricket) and instead of that he produced the match-winning performance. Which to me is heartening to see that someone who is just 25 is controlling the game very well.
“He knows when to attack and when he needs to absorb the pressure.
“He is one of the player who likes to perform at the big stage. He took the responsibility and finished the game. He has controlled the game beautifully,” said Hafeez.
Before featuring against Bangladesh, the young India batter smashed a century in the third ODI against England in Ahmedabad. The batter was awarded 'Player of the Series' for his iconic performance in three match ODI series.
Gill is currently preparing for India's second league match of Champions Trophy 2025 where the Rohit Sharma-led side will face arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23 at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.