Former Indian player Wasim Jaffer has credited Shubman Gill’s father for constantly guiding him and keeping him away from all ‘distractions’ that come with fame in recent times. Comparing Gill’s father to Sachin Tendulkar’s elder brother Ajit, Jaffer shared that the latter too played a similar supporting role in Sachin’s career as well. However, Gill has been in sublime form with the bat over the last 12 months where not only he smashed centuries across formats in international cricket, but he also excelled in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.
He finished the season as the leading run-getter with 890 runs in 17 matches which came at an average of 59.33 and a strike rate of 157.80, with three tons and four fifties. Even while Gill has been getting everything for his excellent performances, Jaffer applauded his father for playing a crucial role in the batter’s success as well. During a discussion on Sportskeeda, he said:
“One of the reasons he is doing well is because his father is always with him. He is somebody who is handling the reins. In today’s social media age, there are many distractions. We saw it with Sachin Tendulkar as well; his brother was always there by his side. Even though, he was great himself, he had somebody to guide him all the time.“It is very necessary in modern times, where there are too many distractions, to have someone who can keep a check on you and tell you what is right and wrong. Gill is a very good player, but this is one of the reasons for him doing well.”
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He also opined on the recent trolling of Shubman Gill and his sister after he scored a hundred against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Gill smashed 104* off 52 balls for Gujarat Titans (GT) against RCB in Bengaluru and helped GT win by a six wickets, knocking Bangalore out of IPL 2023 as well. Praising Gill for coming up with consistent performances over the last year, the veteran credited him for improving his game across formats significantly. Shubman has so far played for India in 15 Tests, 24 ODIs, and six T20Is. He has also hit seven international tons as well.
Wasim Jaffer added: “Social media places you on a pedestal when you do well, but trolls you brutally when you fail. We saw when he scored a hundred against RCB, how badly he was trolled. It’s a good thing that his father is with him and guides him all the time. In the last 12 months, his game has improved significantly. Remember, he scored 91 at the Gabba when India chased a target of around 330. He was playing for the first time against Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. For a 20 or 21-year-old to bat so wonderfully, that goes on to show the kind of potential he possesses. He’s never looked back.”
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“When he was with KKR during Brendon McCullum’s stint as coach, people had issues with his strike rate. He used to have a strike rate of around 120. But the way he has improved his game… he has a one-day double hundred, has scored hundreds in Test matches. He’s got a complete game. The evolution is visible now in the ease with which he hits sixes. Even in T20 cricket, he never looks rushed. He’s prince at the moment, but it’s not far when he will be called a king,” Wasim Jaffer concluded.
