Former India cricketer Lakshmipathy Balaji has showered praise on Shubman Gill, comparing the Gujarat Titans skipper’s elegant batting style to that of Rohit Sharma. Balaji described Gill as a “shorter version of Rohit Sharma,” highlighting his effortless strokeplay, extra time on the ball, and ability to dominate bowlers with classical cricketing shots despite operating at a modern T20 strike rate.
Gill’s transformation in the IPL has been one of the biggest success stories in recent years. After emerging as a teenage sensation during India’s victorious 2018 Under-19 World Cup campaign, Gill joined the Kolkata Knight Riders. Although flashes of brilliance were evident, he took time to fully adapt to the demands of high-tempo T20 cricket. KKR eventually released him ahead of IPL 2022, a move that proved costly as Gill flourished after joining the Gujarat Titans.
Since arriving at GT, Gill has elevated his game to another level. Apart from a relatively quiet debut season with the franchise, the stylish opener has consistently delivered big runs while maintaining an impressive strike rate. In IPL 2026, Gill has already piled up 467 runs at a strike rate of 158.31, once again leading from the front in GT’s strong campaign.
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Speaking on Star Sports, Lakshmipathy Balaji praised Gill’s evolution as both a batter and a leader. “He is a classical cricketer who bats with ease. He is the shorter version of Rohit Sharma. Like Rohit, he is flamboyant, has the extra time, and plays the backfoot cover drive beautifully. The way he combines conventional cricket with a high strike rate has influenced the team massively,” Balaji said.
Balaji also lauded Sai Sudharsan for complementing Gill perfectly at the top of the order. Sudharsan has enjoyed another prolific season and recently became the first batter to cross the 500-run mark in IPL 2026.
“He plays proper cricket shots, takes his time, and still scores quickly. His maturity and adaptability stand out,” Lakshmipathy Balaji added.
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With Gill and Sudharsan firing consistently, Gujarat Titans remain one of the strongest contenders for the IPL 2026 playoffs ahead of their clash against KKR at Eden Gardens.
