Shubman Gill’s scintillating form in IPL 2023 has left the cricketing world in awe. Renowned players like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Rohit Sharma, and Ian Bishop have been left searching for words to describe the exceptional talent displayed by Gill. With an astonishing 851 runs in 16 matches, including three centuries, Gill has etched his name in the record books as only the third cricketer, following in the footsteps of Virat Kohli and Jos Buttler, to surpass the 800-run mark in a single edition of the IPL.

Gill’s remarkable achievements extend beyond the IPL, as he has also scored centuries in all three formats and amassed over a thousand runs in the last six months in international cricket. His impressive performances and the sheer class and ease with which he accumulates runs have ignited conversations and predictions about his future in the game. However, one cricketing legend, Kapil Dev, offers a tempered perspective on Gill’s burgeoning career.

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While Kapil Dev acknowledges Gill’s extraordinary strokeplay and immense potential, he refrains from prematurely comparing him to the likes of Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virat Kohli. As the captain who led India to victory in the 1983 World Cup, Kapil Dev believes that Gill needs to maintain this level of performance for a couple more seasons to solidify his status as a great player.

Kapil Dev shares his viewpoint, saying, “Sunil Gavaskar came, Sachin Tendulkar came, then Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, and now with the kind of batting he is showing, it appears that Shubman Gill is following in their footsteps. But I will like to give him another season before making big claims. He definitely has the talent, but I won’t make grand comparisons just yet.”

Kapil Dev emphasizes the importance of sustaining success and proving oneself consistently over time. He explains that bowlers tend to analyze a batsman’s strengths and weaknesses after one or two good seasons. Only with three or four exceptional seasons can one truly be considered great. Kapil Dev wants to see Gill establish himself further before he anoints him as the next in line after Gavaskar, Tendulkar, and Kohli.

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In addition, Kapil Dev recalls the case of Vinod Kambli, another talented batsman who had a sensational start to his international career but faced numerous challenges off the field, which ultimately derailed his promising journey. Kapil raises the question of whether Gill will be able to handle the attention and fame that comes with early success, urging him to cope with the pressure that lies ahead.

While acknowledging Gill’s exceptional talent, Kapil Dev reminds fans and pundits to exercise caution and allow the young cricketer to continue his development without undue comparisons. Gill’s potential is undeniable, but time will tell if he can maintain his momentum and handle the various obstacles that may come his way, both on and off the field.