Gill’s release from KKR will go down as the biggest blunder a franchise has made: Former CSK veteran

As GT gears up to face MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2023 final on the reserve day at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Gill is expected to continue his exceptional performance against the four-time champions on Monday.

Reflecting on Shubman Gill’s rise in the IPL, former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris labeled KKR’s decision to release the talented batter as the “biggest blunder” in the history of the celebrated tournament. He further highlighted the age advantage Gill possesses, emphasizing that the young cricketer has ample room for growth and can be a vital asset not only for GT but also for the Indian national team.

“I still believe that his release from KKR will go down as the biggest blunder a franchise has made. The only other one was KL Rahul from RCB. However, there is age advantage here. Gill is still a very young man, he has got a lot of growth in his game. He can not only be the star for this GT star, especially after the next World Cup, he will be the backbone of this Indian side. And I think he will embrace that.” Styris told JioCinema.

In a surprising move, Gill was released by two-time champions KKR ahead of IPL 2022. The Kolkata-based franchise opted to retain the services of players like Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, and Varun Chakaravarthy, while overlooking the potential of the young opener. However, Gujarat Titans recognized Gill’s talent and roped him in, a decision that proved fruitful as he played a pivotal role in their IPL victory in 2022. Gill’s remarkable century against Mumbai Indians (MI) in Qualifier 2 propelled Hardik Pandya’s GT to the final of IPL 2023. With an impressive tally of 851 runs under his belt, Gill is poised to claim the prestigious Orange Cap this season.

The transformation in Gill’s game has been evident, with him making the necessary adjustments and taking on the responsibility of being the mainstay of GT’s batting lineup. His evolution from his KKR days to his current form with GT has been remarkable. Gill exhibits a level of control reminiscent of Virat Kohli in his prime, effortlessly dispatching bad deliveries without the need to go after the bowlers forcefully. He has shown maturity and consistency, converting promising starts into substantial contributions for his team.

“We have seen the evolution of Baby GOAT, from his KKR days to now in GT. He was getting starts, and out of nowhere, he would get out. But he is converting those. He has made the adjustments to his game. He has taken the responsibility, he is happy to be the mainstay of this batting line-up. And he is looking like Virat Kohli back in the day as well, in the sense that he is in total control of his game. He is not having to thrash the ball or go after the bowling. He just hits the bad ball,” the former CSK star added.

As Shubman Gill continues to excel in the IPL, his journey serves as a testament to his resilience and determination. While KKR’s decision to part ways with him may have been a regrettable choice, Gill has thrived with Gujarat Titans, cementing his position as one of the tournament’s most valuable players. His success not only brings glory to GT but also establishes him as a key player for the Indian national team. As his career progresses, fans eagerly await Gill’s further growth and anticipate his future contributions to Indian cricket.

CSK GT KKR Shubman Gill