Sanjay Manjrekar lauds Shubman Gill, questions Shreyas Iyer's long-term prospects
What's the story
Sanjay Manjrekar, a famous cricket commentator, has lauded Shubman Gill for his brilliant show in India's Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh.
He called Gill a "lambi race ka ghoda [one for the long haul]," indicating the young cricketer could carry his form for a long time, on ESPNcricinfo Match Day.
Manjrekar also emphasized the difference between Gill and Shreyas Iyer, saying, "He is somebody who you think is going to be around for 10-15 years."
Here's more.
Match performance
Gill's century drives India to victory
Gill was instrumental in India's successful chase of 229 against Bangladesh, scoring an unbeaten 101.
His knock, which included nine fours and two sixes off 129 balls, helped India win by six wickets with 21 balls to spare.
Manjrekar praised Gill's performance, saying, "It was like 60% of Shubman Gill is enough to get a hundred like this and he stays till the end."
Tactical shift
Gill's adaptability impresses Manjrekar
Gill showed his adaptability by changing his batting approach when Bangladesh brought in spin on a slowish track.
He got his slowest ODI 50 off 69 balls and completed his hundred in 125 balls, the slowest for an Indian batter in ODIs since the 2019 World Cup.
Despite the change in pace, Manjrekar was impressed with how Gill switched gears and controlled the game.
"He's got the class to do it [change gears]," Manjrekar noted.
Doubt
Manjrekar casts doubt on Iyer's consistency
Manjrekar also commented on Iyer's consistency in the longer white-ball format.
"It was like 60% of Shubman Gill is enough to get a hundred like this and he stays till the end. That is the difference between Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill. Shreyas Iyer, despite his obvious talent, doesn't give you that impression," he observed.
Meanwhile, Iyer who came into bat when India were 122/2 did not stay long in the crease managing just 15 off 17 balls (one boundary).
Spin challenge
Gill's restraint against spin earns Kumble's approval
Former Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble also praised Gill for his restraint against Bangladesh's spinners.
Despite facing 56 balls from spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain, Gill hit one four but kept the scoreboard ticking with 28 singles.
This approach showed his patience and strategic thinking in challenging conditions, further solidifying his reputation.
"He didn't want to take the risk perhaps because of the pitch. He felt that that was the riskier option," Kumble added as per ESPNcricinfo.
Consecutive 50-plus scores
Fourth successive 50-plus score for Gill
Gill notched up three back-to-back 50-plus scores, including a century, in the recent home ODI series against England.
This includes 87 and 60 in India's first two wins over England, and a stunning 112 in his final match before the mega tournament.
Hence, the one against the Tigers was his second successive hundred and fourth 50-plus score on the bounce.
This was also his maiden outing in the Champions Trophy.
Stats
Eighth ODI hundred for Gill
Gill returned unbeaten on 101 off 129 balls, having smoked nine fours and two sixes.
The Indian batter has now raced to 2,688 runs after his brilliant ton, across 51 ODIs.
Meanwhile, he also boasts an average of 62.51, including a strike rate of 100.78, as per ESPNcricinfo.
The tally now includes eight tons besides 15 fifties.
Notably, Gill is now the fastest Indian to accomplish eight ODI tons, having done so in just 51 innings.
Match recap
All-round India beat Bangladesh in their Champions Trophy opener
Team India comprehensively beat Bangladesh by six wickets in the second match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
The Men in Blue comfortably accomplished the 229-run target in Dubai thanks to a brilliant hundred from Gill.
Earlier in the game, Bangladesh posted a competitive total of 228/10 thanks to a record-breaking partnership between centurion Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali.
Mohammed Shami claimed a fifer.
Notably, Shami also became the joint-second-fastest bowler to touch the 200-wicket mark in ODIs.