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As cricket fans eagerly await the ODI World Cup 2023 hosted by India between October-November, former Indian all-rounder Suresh Raina has made a bold prediction. He believes that a superstar Indian cricketer has the potential to replicate the remarkable achievement of Rohit Sharma during the 2019 World Cup in England.
Rohit Sharma’s World Cup triumph
In 2019, Rohit etched his name in cricketing history by becoming the first batter ever to score five centuries in a single ODI World Cup. His incredible feat left an indelible mark on the tournament, as he showcased his batting prowess against formidable opponents like South Africa, Pakistan, England, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Rohit’s stellar performance, including three consecutive centuries, propelled him to the top of the run-scoring chart with an astonishing total of 648 runs.
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The rising star
Raina has identified Shubman Gill as the Indian cricketer with the potential to emulate Rohit’s historic World Cup performance. Raina lauded Gill’s ability to convert promising starts into substantial scores, drawing a parallel with the Indian captain’s knack for big innings on the grand stage.
“The form he’s playing in with his hand speed – it’s extremely strong. Spinners don’t know where to bowl to him and if fast bowlers don’t swing the ball, he can play those really well with a straight or a flick. His mindset will not stop here. What Rohit Sharma did in the 2019 World Cup; Gill could do the same for India this year. He’ll get 50 overs to bat, so it’s a takeoff point for his batting. I think he’s a born leader and he shows that in his game,” Raina said.
Gill’s recent form and Asia Cup triumph
While Gill faced challenges during the West Indies tour, where he managed to surpass the fifty-run mark on only two occasions, he resurfaced as a force to be reckoned with in the Asia Cup 2023. The 24-year-old’ stellar performance in the tournament saw him amass a total of 302 runs, making him the highest run-scorer. He recorded two half-centuries and a century, reaffirming his batting skills and ability to shine on the international stage.
