Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar reminisced about Shubman Gill’s first net session with the senior national team, revealing that he left a strong impression on then-head coach Ravi Shastri. Bangar mentioned that the right-handed batter showcased his talent by playing some exquisite shots during the session.
Gill was India’s top scorer in the first ODI against England at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on Thursday, February 6. He played a brilliant knock of 87 off 96 balls, hitting 14 fours, as India successfully chased down a target of 249 in 47.4 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Speaking in a video on Star Sports, Bangar recalled how Gill’s natural ability was evident right from his first net session with the senior squad. The former India all-rounder remarked (as quoted by news agency ANI):
“The first glimpse of Shubman Gill we had during his first net session for India, there is a tradition in India that during the nets session, if you want that approval, you will have to do well against throwdown specialists, who bowl really fast.
“And unhone uss nets session mein, jo ek screen test hota haina, aise patakhe bajaye the (during that session, which is a screen test of sorts, he produced such incredible shots). Ravi Shastri was like, ek tayaar player mil gaya humein (we have got a ready-made player). Such was his first impact,” the 52-year-old added.
#SanjayBangar recalls @ShubmanGill's first net session, leaving a lasting impression on the coaches.
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Gill was awarded the Player of the Match for his crucial half-century in the first ODI against England in Nagpur, playing a key role in India’s recovery from 19-2. He formed a vital 94-run partnership for the third wicket with Shreyas Iyer (59 off 36) and later stitched a 108-run stand for the fourth wicket with all-rounder Axar Patel (52 off 47).
Shubman Gill’s Performance Breakdown Across Formats for India
Gill gained recognition during the 2018 U-19 World Cup, where he amassed 372 runs in six matches, playing a key role in India’s title-winning campaign. Soon after, he made his international debut and has since featured in 101 matches across all three formats, accumulating 4,886 runs at an average of 42.85, including 12 centuries and 24 half-centuries.
The 25-year-old has played 48 ODIs, scoring 2,415 runs at an impressive average of 58.90 and a strike rate of 101.30, with six centuries and 14 fifties. In T20Is, he has registered 578 runs in 21 matches at a strike rate of 139.27. His Test record, however, has been relatively modest, with 1,893 runs in 32 matches at an average of 35.05, including five centuries and seven fifties.
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