Former Team India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has praised Shubman Gill for his composed and authoritative knock in the opening ODI against England at Edgbaston on July 14. Chasing 259 on a difficult surface, Gill looked in complete control during his 80 off 75 balls before retiring hurt, with India eventually sealing a six-wicket win in the 46th over.
Gill’s innings stood out not just for the runs he scored, but for the confidence and clarity he brought to the chase. He has been in outstanding ODI form in 2026, averaging more than 113 with a strike rate of 115.26 in seven matches, which has only strengthened his reputation as one of India’s most dependable white-ball batters. Speaking on Star Sports, Abhishek Nayar described Gill’s batting as elite and said the India captain now looks like a player who fully understands his place in the side.
“It was absolutely elite batting and a class apart. He was always a terrific player but there has been a change to him recently. Even watching his press conferences, watching him at toss or speak about the game, it feels like he has reached a certain place of security and a place where he knows he belongs. The question marks in his mind have left the building. He is not looking to prove anything to anyone anymore,” Abhishek Nayar said.
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The former India all-rounder added that Gill’s ability to score all around the ground has made him extremely difficult to contain, even when batting alongside senior stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. According to Nayar, captaincy has played a major role in that transformation, particularly Gill’s success as a leader in the IPL, which has further strengthened his self-belief.
Gill’s ODI numbers continue to underline his rise. The 25-year-old has scored 60.57 on average in 60 matches, with nine centuries and a strike rate of more than 101, making him one of India’s most productive batters in the format. Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, who has worked closely with Gill at Gujarat Titans since 2024, also lauded the right-hander’s growth. Patel said Gill has moved beyond the phase of trying to prove himself and now carries real authority in the dressing room.
“He has reached a stage where he has nothing to prove to anyone. That was a conversation we had with him before the IPL started, when he lost his place in India’s T20I side. His messaging and the way he talks in the dressing room, there is a sense of assertiveness in him now,” Parthiv Patel said.
He also compared Gill’s work ethic with that of Virat Kohli, calling it one of the biggest reasons behind his rise.
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“His communication is outstanding now. There are a lot of things in his favor, but on top of everything, his work ethic is right on top. We always talk about Virat Kohli’s work ethic and how he works really hard on his game. To me, having seen Gill very closely, he is also right up there with Kohli in work ethics,”Parthiv Patel added.
Gill’s appointment as India’s Test and ODI captain midway through last year has clearly accelerated his evolution, and performances like the one at Edgbaston suggest he is settling into the role with growing authority.
