Legendary West Indies batter Brian Lara has heaped praise on India opener Shubman Gill, calling him the most talented batter in this generation. Gill is part of the Indian squad which is all set to travel to South Africa for a month-long tour.
Gill is part of India’s T20I and Test squads for the tour of South Africa. The right-handed batter has been rested from the ODI series despite being the number 1 ranked ODI batter in the world.
Speaking to Anandabazar Patrika, Lara said Gill can break his record for the highest individual score in Test cricket. Gill has scored 966 runs in 18 Test matches for India, at an average of 32.20 while hitting two centuries.
“Shubman Gill can break both my records. Gill is the most talented batter in this new generation. He will rule cricket in the coming years. I believe he will go on to break many big records. He (Gill) can do it (break my records). If Gill plays County cricket then he can break my 501*. In Test cricket, he can surely go past 400,” said Lara.
The 54-year-old backed Gill to win many ICC tournaments in the future, while stressing that he will score big runs for his nation. Gill has scored 2271 runs in 44 ODIs, averaging 61.38 while striking at 103.46. As far as T20Is are concerned, Gill has scored 304 runs in 11 matches, at an average of 30.40 and a strike rate of 146.86.
“Shubman will score big, mark my words. Gill didn’t score a century (in the World Cup) but look at the knocks he has already played. He has centuries in all formats, has smashed a double hundred in ODIs and has also played many match-winnings in the IPL. I’m sure he will win many ICC tournaments in the future,” Lara added.
