Pujara, a textbook for young Shubman Gill

India U-19 World Cup winner and Punjab batsman Gill, who is having a terrific run in the Ranji Trophy, is inspired by Cheteshwar Pujara.

Punjab cricketer Shubman Gill in action against Bengal in Kolkata on Monday.

 

India U-19 World Cup winner Shubman Gill is having a fine domestic season for Punjab. The right-hander — who has amassed 720 runs including two hundreds and four fifties — is gaining inspiration from Cheteshwar Pujara.

Pujara’s tenacious batting in Australia turned education for Gill back home. “There is a lot to learn seeing the way Pujara bats; his patience at the crease. Australia had world's top bowlers and to score against them on those tough pitches is phenomenal. I love watching him bat,” Gill said.

“Nowadays batsmen look to score quick runs. There are few batsmen who can bat through the day and look to play out the deliveries. He has played over 1,200 balls in one tour, which is really phenomenal. To score 500 runs on a tour is possible, but to face so many deliveries is like setting a benchmark for the youngsters.”

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Currently fine-tuning his basics in the Ranji Trophy, Gill wants to improve his game. “I'm pretty happy with the way I am batting. But I can work on the way I am getting out. Sometimes, I tend to go with the flow. In Test matches, you tend to bat in sessions. There will be a period when a bowler will do well and (a period) when I will score runs. You have to be smart to pick the ones where you would capitalise.”

Gill, who got out on 91 against Bengal on Tuesday, said, "Obviously, I am disappointed to miss out on a hundred. Had I batted longer, the team would have been in a better position. I was set for a big one. But it's part of the game."

The 19-year-old is rated highly by experts, who feel the youngster can get picked for the Indian side sooner than later.

Gill, nevertheless, understands the ground reality. “I can just pray and hope. Every player has a dream of playing for India. But I see very less chance now. Our one-day team is strong and the World Cup is round the corner. We have won a very good Test series as well,” he said.