Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has singled out Shubman Gill as a player destined to have a long and impactful career in Indian cricket. He also lavished praise on Shreyas Iyer’s flawless 59-run innings, rating it a perfect 10 out of 10 for its quality.
Gill and Iyer spearheaded India’s four-wicket victory over England in the first ODI. After captain Rohit Sharma and debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal were dismissed early, leaving India struggling at 19 for 2 in pursuit of 249, Gill and Iyer steadied the innings with a crucial 94-run partnership.
Gill’s composed approach, which saw him score 87 runs off 96 deliveries, provided a steadying influence. Iyer, meanwhile, showcased a wide range of shots and exceptional stroke play during his brisk knock of 59 off just 36 balls.
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Describing Iyer’s innings as his finest, Manjrekar remarked, “I know it’s just 58 for now. But that has to be Shreyas Iyer’s best innings! Because of the sheer flawless nature of stroke play, the range of shots played & the relative orthodoxy of all his shots. On quality it was 10/10,” he wrote on X.
Jacob Bethell eventually dismissed Iyer, trapping him leg-before-wicket, but not before the batsman had left an indelible mark on the match.
After Iyer’s departure, Gill took charge, mixing defence and attack seamlessly to guide India to the brink of victory. His steady hand proved pivotal as India edged closer to the target.
Reflecting on Gill’s performance, Manjrekar said, “We had a term in the team ‘Lambi race ka Ghoda’ for certain players. Meaning someone who will be around for a long time in Indian cricket. That’s what Shubman Gill is!”
With this win, India now holds a 1-0 lead in the series. The second ODI will be played in Cuttack on Sunday, where India will aim to seal the series.
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