Cricket News

Matthew Hayden heaps praises on young India batting sensation after IPL 2023 heroics

Shubman Gill's 67 runs off 49 balls helped GT beat PBKS on Thursday in IPL 2023

Apr 14, 2023 5:36 pm

Gujarat Titans narrowly defeated Punjab Kings in Match 18 of the IPL 2023 on Thursday at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, with Shubman Gill on fire. GT achieved 154/4 in 19.5 overs, needing 154 runs to reach their target, with the help of Gill’s 67 runs off 49 balls, which included seven fours and a six.

When PBKS first batted, they scored 153/8 in 20 overs, with Mohit Sharma taking two wickets for Gujarat. Meanwhile, Matt Short scored 36 runs for Punjab off of 24 balls. A former Australia opener, Matthew Hayden, praised Gill in a Star Sports interview. Gill also blasted his second IPL 2023 half-century.

‘Some of the shots that he played were pleasing to the eyes. He’s such a class player’ – Matthew Hayden

“Gujarat Titans needed someone to take responsibility and bat deep in this run chase against a quality Punjab Kings bowling attack, and Shubman Gill did just that. Some of the shots that he played were pleasing to the eyes. He’s such a class player, and he’s going to dominate world cricket for the next decade or so”, he said.

With 183 runs in four games at an average of 45.75 and a strike rate of 141.86, Gill is now fifth in the IPL 2023 Orange Cap race. He has also scored the most runs for GT so far this year. He came in behind GT captain Hardik Pandya, who took fourth place with 487 runs in 15 games in the Orange Cap competition last year with 483 runs in 16 games.

After the match vs PBKS, Gill said, “Wicket got a bit challenging in the end. Was harder to hit sixes with the old ball. It’s a big ground. Was important to keep hitting the gaps and run as hard as possible. I should’ve finished the match. Rahul Tewatia and Kings XI is a love story. In these types of games, there’s definitely pressure on both teams. It’s about trying to minimise dot balls.”

“It was difficult for them also to score runs against the old ball. Was important to have a good powerplay. We ticked that box. It wasn’t a big score. Was important to keep hitting the singles. He looked good in the nets also (Mohit). He has a good yorker and bowled magnificently with the slower one, using the boundaries. Was a great GT debut for him,” he further added.