Hashim Amla has claimed that India opener Shubman Gill is set to be the ‘next big thing’ in international cricket after his sensational start to the Champions Trophy 2025 campaign. Shubman Gill, who has been India’s best batter in the format this year, scored a hundred in the opening match against Bangladesh and 46 against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, February 23.
The legendary South Africa National Cricket Team batsman Hashim Amla has dropped a colossal verdict on the future of the 25-year-old India National Cricket Team batter Shubman Gill. Hashim Amla said that the young Indian batting sensation Shubman Gill will be the ‘next big and best thing’ in international cricket.
Shubman Gill’s emphatic form in the ODI cricket in 2025 and his ominous form in Champions Trophy 2025
Shubman Gill has been going through a purple patch currently. He delivered an exceptional batting performance in the recent ODI series against the England National Cricket Team that helped him become the No.1 batter in the ICC ODI Rankings. Shubman Gill looked marvelous with the bat, and many experts labeled him as a player with the potential to become the greatest ODI batter of all time.
In the three-match ODI series against England, Shubman Gill smashed 87 and 60 runs in the first two matches before smashing a century (112 runs) in the final match. He has continued his good form in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as well. The 25-year-old batter smashed a match-winning century (101*) against Bangladesh and then followed it up with a brilliant 46-run knock against Pakistan.
Shubman Gill has been opening the batting with Rohit Sharma at the top for India and the duo has made a massive impact. Shubman Gill and Rohit have scored 1974 runs in 29 matches at an average of 70.5. Amla feels that the Gill-Rohit partnership is very potent and dangerous and having Kohli at No.3 makes India a dangerous side.
On Wednesday, Shubman Gill dethroned Pakistan’s Babar Azam from the top spot in the ICC ODI rankings. In the latest rankings list, Shubman Gill has 796 rating points while Babar has 773. India skipper Rohit Sharma is ranked third with 761 points. South Africa’s Henrich Klaasen and New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell at fourth and fifth respectively.
Shubman Gill’s dominance in ODIs has been highly praised and he lived up to the expectations in India’s Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh where he scored a a match-winning century (101*). It was also his fourth successive 50+ score, making him one of the most persistent batters.
Hashim Amla praised Shubman Gill as the ‘next big thing’ in cricket alongside Rishabh Pant and Ryan Rickelton. Gill’s recent form has been exceptional, making him a key player for India.
Hashim Amla Tips Shubman Gill To Be India’s Next Superstar In ODI Cricket
South African batting great, Hashim Amla has called India’s Shubman Gill as the ‘next big thing’ in international cricket alongside Rishabh Pant and South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton. Shubman Gill has been in sublime form lately and is currently the top-ranked batter in the one-day format. He brought it forward into the ICC Champions Trophy where he struck a century against Bangladesh followed by a 46 against Pakistan in Dubai.
“For India, you have got Shubham Gill; Rishabh Pant has been around for a while. For South Africa, we have Ryan Rickelton who has done really well off late,” Amla, who is playing for South Africa Masters in the International Masters League, told PTI Videos.
“Every country has about 2-3 cricketers who are going to come through and I think that’s pretty normal, that you see that every five years some youngster poke in the head through international cricket, and possibly be the next best, big thing,” he added.
He reckons that the opening batter has played a big role in India’s success in the format and their top three batters which also includes Rohit Sharma followed by Virat Kohli, makes them a dangerous trio.
“He is a brilliant player, the way he started in one-day cricket, he has been exceptional. He has been a huge part of India’s success at top of the order.”
“To have him and Rohit (Sharma) at the top, it’s a very potent and dangerous opening partnership, and then they have got Virat (Kohli) at No 3.”
Speaking on the favourites to win the ongoing ICC tournament, Amla reckons that both India and South Africa stand a strong chance to go all the way.
“India have obviously a very good chance, they have a fantastic team over the (last) 15-odd years,” he said.
“South Africa have (a) great chance (too), they have fantastic batting and bowling and whole unit looks very well balanced, they have a excellent chance to make it to top four and then hopefully win it.”
India, having won their two games have qualified for the semi-final while South Africa top Group B with three points. Another win for the Proteas would ensure their spot in the elimination stages of the tournament.