"He is following in the footsteps of the guy in the opposing team" - Irfan Pathan lauds Shubman Gill for finishing the game like Virat Kohli
Irfan Pathan has lauded Shubman Gill for following in Virat Kohli's footsteps by completing the Gujarat Titans' (GT) chase in their IPL 2023 clash against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
RCB set GT a challenging 198-run target in Bengaluru on Sunday (May 21) on the back of Kohli's unbeaten century. Gill then smoked an unbeaten 104 off 52 balls to help his team register a six-wicket win with five balls to spare and knock RCB out of the tournament.
During a post-match discussion on Star Sports, Pathan was asked about his thoughts on Gill's knock, to which he responded:
"He played shots all around the park and then the way he finished the game while scoring a century - he is following in the footsteps of the guy in the opposing team - to start the innings and finish it as well. It is enjoyable to watch the way he builds his innings."
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that Team India's future superstar showed glimpses of things to come, stating:
"It was the sort of knock where everyone would bow down and salute you. This young boy, the Indian team's biggest shining star in all three formats going forward, shone once again today. He shone at Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium."
Pathan pointed out that 2023 has been a spectacular year for Gill. The youngster has smashed a century in Test cricket, three centuries including a double hundred in ODIs, a century in T20Is, and back-to-back hundreds in the IPL this year.
"He has his own character" - Irfan Pathan on Shubman Gill's contrasting body language to Virat Kohli
![Shubman Gill does not show too many emotions on the field. [P/C: iplt20.com]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/05/2a155-16847267386459-1920.jpg?w=500)
Irfan Pathan was further asked about Shubman Gill's contrasting body language to that of Virat Kohli, to which he replied:
"He (Gill) has his own character. Virat has his own character, won India a lot of matches, captained the team and took the team forward, especially in Test cricket, and scored a lot of runs for RCB."
The former Indian all-rounder pointed out that the Gujarat Titans opener is more laidback than the former RCB skipper, elaborating:
"You will not see Shubman Gill as energetic as Virat Kohli on the ground. You will not see that aggression. You will see the calmness and the lazy elegance. But it is necessary to have your own character."
Gill struck five fours and eight sixes during his unbeaten 104-run effort. He reached his century and finished off the chase by smashing Wayne Parnell for a six off the first legitimate ball of the final over.