Former Indian all-rounder, Suresh Raina, has placed high hopes on the young opener, Shubman Gill, suggesting he could emulate Rohit Sharma's phenomenal 2019 World Cup record. It's worth remembering that Sharma set a groundbreaking record by becoming the first player ever to score five centuries in a single ODI World Cup during the 2019 tournament held in England.
Rohit's dazzling form saw him dominate bowlers from South Africa, Pakistan, England, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. What's more, he crafted a sensational streak by notching three back-to-back centuries in the World Cup, culminating in a stellar 648-run total.
Fast forward to 2023, Shubman Gill seems primed for the grand stage. Ranked second in the ICC ODI Rankings, Gill has already surpassed 1000 ODI runs this year. His brilliance was on full display during the Asia Cup, where he delivered a stellar century against Bangladesh. In merely 33 ODIs, Gill boasts a commendable 1739 runs, inclusive of five centuries, with a remarkable average of 63.
Though Gill hit a temporary rough patch during the ODI series against the West Indies, amassing only 126 runs across three matches, he bounced back in style during the Asia Cup, where he topped the batting list with a total of 302 runs.
"He's been consistent for a year and a half. He struggled in the middle against West Indies, but the way he's come back and scored good runs in the Asia Cup. He is looking positive, using good footwork, and from getting out at 40 against the West Indies, he is now comfortably hitting 50s and even 100s. He'll be one of the most important players at the World Cup," Suresh Raina told Jio Cinema.
"I know that he wants to be a superstar and wants to be the next Virat Kohli and is in that aura already and after this World Cup, we will be talking about him more often. The form he's playing in with his hand speed - it's extremely strong. Spinners don't know where to bowl to him and if fast bowlers don't swing the ball, he can play those really well with a straight or a flick.
"His mindset will not stop here. What Rohit Sharma did in the 2019 World Cup; Gill could do the same for India this year. He'll get 50 overs to bat, so it's a takeoff point for his batting. I think he's a born leader and he shows that in his game," he added.
Interestingly, Rohit Sharma, who wishes to revert to his triumphant 2019 mindset, is also regaining form. Despite a lackluster performance with just 248 runs across 8 ODIs in the previous year, Sharma has recently crossed the 500-run mark with three consecutive fifties in the Asia Cup.
India is all set to kick off their World Cup journey against Australia on October 5. Before this high-voltage encounter, they will face Australia in a three-match ODI series at home, running from September 22 to 27.
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