Talented India opener Shubman Gill has stated that Virat Kohli’s stunning consistency and hunger for the game is something that inspires him a lot. He also added that every time the swashbuckling Indian batter comes into the middle, he seems to do something special. However, Kohli smashed 117 off 113 balls against New Zealand in the first semi-final of the 2023 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday as well. With the ton, he also became the first batter to hit 50 ODI tons, surpassing the batting legend Sachin Tendulkar’s longstanding record tally of 49 tons.

Praising Virat Kohli, Gill said: “You know, every time he comes on to the park, he does something special and just how consistently he’s been able to do it for the past 10-15 years is what is really inspiring. And I think, for me, it’s not so much about the skill that he has, but it’s more about the hunger when he goes there and the intensity with which he plays the game is what inspires me. And to be able to have that consistently for as long as he’s been doing it is what really inspires me.”

However, Virat Kohli hit nine fours and two sixes in his magnificent knock against New Zealand. Shreyas Iyer smashed 105 off 70, while Shubman Gill himself hit 80 off India as India posted 397/4 batting first. New Zealand could only manage 327 in response.

“This team, I think we have been playing together for like the past one year or so and I think we know our roles quite well and I think that has been the difference. For me, honestly, It’s been our bowling attack, the way our bowling attack has bowled. They have always either defended the total or restricted the other team to a below par score. So, I think that’s been the difference,” Shubman Gill concluded.