IPL 2025: Aakash Chopra praises Shubman Gill’s anchor role in GT vs SRH clash

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra highlighted the role of the anchors in a T20 innings and how important it was for the players to understand their role and play accordingly. Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper Shubman Gill played an incredible innings against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) last night, slamming 61 runs off 43 balls, including nine boundaries. 

The player was quite aware of his role as the wickets fell down quite early on in the innings. He then got support from Washington Sundar (49 off 29) and Sherfane Rutherford (35 off 16) from the other end, which helped GT close the game.

It was their third win of the season, and captain Gill will be happy with the team's performance. Chopra praised Gill's innings and the way he handled the situation with maturity. He didn't play shots in the air, which was a good thing. 

"You have to be the anchor. Sometimes we undervalue the importance of an anchor in a T20 innings because we see so many shots being played. Especially when batting first, you're mentally chasing a 220-plus target. But now, when you're chasing a smaller total in the second innings, on a pitch that's stopping a little bit and you lose two early wickets, then you need this kind of knock — where you're trying to keep everything along the ground. Risk is something you don't want to take too often. Shubman Gill is improving in leaps and bounds," Chopra said on JioHotstar. 

'It’s quite bizarre how he’s been handled at IPL level' - Chopra on Sundar

Furthermore, Aakash Chopra also shed light on the way all rounder Washington Sundar was utilized by GT and the former franchises in the IPL so far. The Southpaw got to play his first game against SRH in the previous game. Earlier, he was with SRH but didn't get many matches to play. He is one of the best all-rounders in the league but hasn't gotten many chances to prove his worth yet. He played his first game yesterday and scored 49 runs but didn't get to bowl. 

"Washington was with SRH for the longest time. They paid ₹8 crore to acquire his services and yet didn’t give him a proper opportunity. Even here at GT, he was picked up but didn’t get a single game until today — and still didn’t bowl. It’s quite bizarre how he’s been handled at the IPL level. But what I found exciting and impressive from both GT’s and Washington’s point of view, is that he now gives them one more option," Chopra concluded.