Shubman Gill opens up on brewing batting chemistry with Rohit Sharma

Shubman Gill has been in prolific form for India, especially in ODIs. In 2023, he slammed his first ODI double century and his first T20I century, both against New Zealand, prior to the Indian Premier League. He finished IPL 2023 as the highest run-getter with 890 runs.

Shubman, who is touted by many as the next big thing in international cricket, will have to play a key role at the top of the order for India as they strive to win prestigious tournaments like Asia Cup and the subsequent ODI World Cup in the near future.

The Indian team has always been more formidable when the openers have excelled. Shubman has formed an exciting opening partnership alongside captain Rohit Sharma, and they will hope to get their team off to good starts to give ideal launchpads for the batters to follow in the upcoming big-ticket tournaments. Shubman and Rohit have opened in nine matches and amassed 685 runs at an average of 76.11.

The Punjab batter recently explained that his batting style is different from that of Rohit and how they complement each other well. Shubman feels that his combination with the veteran would bode well for the two-time ODI World Cup champions as they go forward.

"I think because his (Rohit's) targeted areas are a bit different (to mine). He loves to go aerial in the Powerplay, and I'm someone who likes to find the gaps and keep getting those boundaries, and he's someone who likes to hit sixes. So I think that combination works well. It feels great to be able to open with him, especially knowing that all the focus is on him," Shubman was quoted as saying by the International Cricket Council.

"He's someone who likes the other batters to go and just express himself and play the way I want to play the game. So in that nature, he gives the players full freedom for how they want to express their game."

Rohit-Shubman duo will have their task cut out against Pakistan's in-form pace troika

The Indian team is currently in Ireland, playing a three-match T20I series. However, most of the reserve players have been sent on that tour. The likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be in action in the Asia Cup, which begins on August 30.

Rohit's men will begin their campaign by facing arch-rivals Pakistan in Pallekele on September 2. The opening pair of Rohit and Shubman will have a stiff challenge lined up for them as they will have to face the electrifying pace troika of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf. Fans are waiting with bated breath to watch the mouth-watering contest in the six-team tournament.