Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers said that star Indian opener Shubman Gill will emerge as the leading run-getter in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. He also added that being an opening batter, Gill has a great chance of finishing at the top of the run-getters list at the marquee event.
Pointing out how the talented Gill has been in sublime form this year, De Villiers said in his latest YouTube video: “Shubman Gill will be the highest run-scorer in the World Cup. He is in great form. I was always going to go with an opening batter—at the very worst, a No. 3 batter.”I think Shubman is in such form that it would be silly of me to overlook him. He is a great player and has a fantastic technique. He is playing at home in India, yes, there will be pressure but he is my pick.”
AB de Villiers further opined on how Shubman Gill has a pretty simple batting technique. He also stated that the batter’s ability to change gears as per the situation will make things difficult for the bowlers as well.
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“His style and technique are quite simple and basic, as you would generally say for some of the best players of the world. You get some exceptions, like Steve Smith. Shubman Gill is much more traditional, very straightforward technique, and doesn’t try a lot of different things. He can change the gears and put a lot of pressure on the bowlers. He has got this incredible ability of picking up the length very quickly; you see that with some of the best players in the world. Shubman is very quickly becoming one of those, one of the best players in all the formats. Very exciting young talent. He is still young but looks like an experienced campaigner already,” he again shared.
However, Shubman Gill has been in stunning form this year. With 1,764 runs to his name across formats, Gill is currently the highest run-getter for India this year as well. Meanwhile, AB de Villiers also said that the Indian think tank made the right move by bringing back veteran spinner R Ashwin to their ODI team prior to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. He also stated that the veteran campaigner should have been in the scheme of things for the ICC event as well.
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“It is an unbelievable move. Not so good for South Africa and other teams. (He is) Experienced, smart, and plays the big moments really well. He has got incredible skills and understands his game with both bat and ball. He is a great addition to that team. I don’t know why he wasn’t there in the first place. I am a big fan. He is always a little bit controversial, but he plays to win,” AB de Villiers concluded.
