'It's a different Shubman when he plays those cricketing shots' - Hardik Pandya lauds youngster's phenomenal show against RCB

The last league match of the IPL 2023 had everything for the fans like a wholesome pack of entertainment topped with a thrilling finish. While a lot was at stake for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 69^th match of the tournament, Gujarat Titans came all guns blazing just to end league stage on the highest note. When rain was hovering over Chinnaswamy, Virat Kohli’s sheer class gave the home crowd everything to cheer for. Kohli’s second ton (101* off 61) on the trot instilled RCB fans with hope and joy as they saw the playoffs spot loading for them.

However, nobody was ready for Shubman Gill’s unreal exploits on the night as he left RCB fans with heart in their mouths throughout his innings. Gill brought down host bowlers on their knees as he smashed 104* off 52 to take his side home in a match whose results wouldn’t have affected GT anyway in their playoff scenarios. GT skipper Hardik Pandya was mighty impressed with the young batter’s show and called his innings special. Pandya also added how opener’s exemplary innings also gives confidence to other batters of the unit.

“The calmness which the boys had was terrific. We wanted to keep the momentum going. We have ticked a lot of boxes. Gill knows when he plays those cricketing shots and bats like a batter, it's a different Shubman. Today, the kind of options he picked and the kind of places where he was hitting, as a batter, he doesn't give any chance. That makes him very special and the other batter gets confidence from him as well. We would have taken 197 at the start, but we didn't bowl well,” said Pandya during the post-match presentation.

Special innings from Virat: Hardik Pandya

Meanwhile, Pandya didn’t forget to laud Kohli for his thunderous knock which looked to have seal the deal for RCB, initially. The Titans’ leader concluded by adding that they are ready for every sort of challenge coming on their way and that he is contented with the character his team has shown.

“Special innings from Virat, he batted well but we went too early for death bowling. I can't ask anything better from the boys. Last year, we did well, everything went our way. This year was a different challenge for us. We were expecting people to challenge us. The boys showed tremendous character. A lot of credit goes to all the boys the way they worked hard throughout,” Pandya added.