"He has it in his DNA that he shouldn't miss a chance to score runs" - Aakash Chopra lauds Shubman Gill's century in IND vs BAN 2024 1st Test
Aakash Chopra has lauded Shubman Gill for scoring an unbeaten century in India's second innings of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. He pointed out that the youngster is always keen to make the most of any opportunity to score runs.
Gill scored an unbeaten 119 off 176 deliveries as India set Bangladesh a massive 515-run target on Saturday, September 21. The hosts need six wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, with the visitors ending the third day's play at 158/4.
During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Chopra was asked what he saw special in Gill's knock.
"Once again understanding how the pitch is, how to play on it, and his own game. He has it in his DNA that he shouldn't miss a chance to score runs. He wants to make the most of it. That is why you rarely see him playing bad shots. You see him playing more percentage cricket," he responded.
The former India opener praised Gill for joining VVS Laxman and Sunil Gavaskar in the list of Indian batters with at least four consecutive 50-plus scores in the second innings. However, he opined that the Punjab batter potentially had an easier job than the other two.
"He is happy while taking singles and doubles. He has a very good idea about his cricket. His first innings numbers are not as good, which he would want to improve. In the list we had shown (most consecutive 50+ scores for India in the second innings), VVS Laxman was doing the most difficult job because he used to bat at No. 5 or 6," Chopra stated.
"To consistently score at No. 6 in the second innings of a Test match, it's very, very tough. Sunny bhai (Gavaskar) and Shubman, we are talking about an opener and a No. 3, of course Sunny bhai is the greatest, but Shubman Gill still has a relatively easier job," he added.
Gill has scored 104, 91, 52* and 119* in his last four hits in India's second innings. While Laxman made eight consecutive 50-plus second-innings scores in Tests, Gavaskar did so in five back-to-back innings.
"A huge part of his game is his greed to score runs" - Aakash Chopra on Shubman Gill
![Rishabh Pant (109) and Shubman Gill stitched together a 167-run fourth-wicket partnership. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/c905e-17269216303371-1920.jpg?w=500)
Aakash Chopra noted that Shubman Gill's discipline and greed to score runs helped him make the most of Bangladesh's insipid bowling.
"We said this morning as well that the conditions were good for batting and the opposition bowling has looked absolutely ordinary and bereft of ideas. However, you still need one thing, that's discipline, and the other thing is to understand your game and be greedy. A huge part of his game is his greed to score runs," he said.
Chopra concluded by observing that Gill remaining unbeaten defined his game. He added that he might have scored a double century had Rohit Sharma not declared the Indian innings.