(Getty Images)
Robin Uthappa, the former Indian cricketer turned commentator, has praised Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal as the contemporary equivalents of cricketing legends Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar.
This accolade comes after India secured victory in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, with Gill and Jaiswal showcasing their impressive partnership at the beginning of the innings. Uthappa drew parallels between the young duo and the iconic Tendulkar-Ganguly pair, highlighting their potential to make a significant impact on Indian cricket.
Robin Uthappa draws parallels between Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sourav Ganguly-Sachin Tendulkar after India’s T20I series victory in Sri Lanka.
Ganguly and Tendulkar, celebrated as the most formidable opening duo in ODI history, amassed an impressive 6609 runs from 136 innings, featuring 21-century partnerships and 23 half-century stands. Their dominance set a benchmark for opening pairs, and according to Robin Uthappa, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are poised to follow a similar path, albeit in T20I cricket at present.
Since the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from T20I cricket, Gill and Jaiswal have injected renewed vigor into India’s top order. Their explosive left-right combination has been pivotal in providing brisk starts, notably during recent tours of Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
Jaiswal has emerged as a dynamic force, attacking bowlers aggressively from the outset, while Gill’s versatility has been crucial in maintaining momentum during the powerplay overs. Their complementary styles were prominently on display in the recent T20I series against Sri Lanka.
Uthappa envisions Gill and Jaiswal as future stalwarts of Indian cricket, continuing the legacy of the iconic Ganguly-Tendulkar partnership. Their strategic cohesion has been evident, particularly in their performances during the aforementioned tours of Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
Robin Uthappa said on Sony Sports Network: “I do see them; when I look at them, they remind me of Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar going out together, where their games kind of complimented each other. Their strategies complimented each other; that’s what I see when I see these two go out to bat together.”
Gill and Jaiswal have already left a notable imprint in their nine innings together as T20I openers, accumulating 516 runs with an impressive average of 64.50. Within their partnership, they have notched up two century stands and two half-century partnerships, demonstrating their capability to consistently deliver impactful performances on the international stage.
Robin Uthappa forecasts a promising ODI future for Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Uthappa also voiced his optimism about Jaiswal’s prospects in ODI cricket, suggesting that the talented Indian opener could solidify his place in the national team if given the opportunity in the 50-over format.
Although Jaiswal has already featured in 22 T20I matches, he has not yet made his debut in ODIs. Uthappa is confident that when the opportunity does come, the young opener will showcase his abilities and establish himself in the 50-over format too.
He signed off by saying, “I honestly feel when he (Jaiswal) gets that opportunity in ODI cricket, he will seal that spot so quickly because after Test cricket and T20I cricket, ODI cricket is going to be so much easier for him. Because he will feel like I have all the time in the world to be able to score runs.”
