Shubman Gill had a 2023 to remember that saw him score heavily across formats. From hitting an ODI double-century at the start in January to winning Orange Cap in IPL to finishing the year as the leading run-getter (all formats combined), Gill was one of the top performers of the calendar year.
And he was the Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan’s unanimous choice for the breakout performer.
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“Breakout performer for me will be Shubman Gill for the way he batted throughout the 2023 season, in all formats of the game,” Gavaskar told Star Sports. “At the start he was unstoppable but towards the end, he tapered off in Test cricket. But the one-day and T20 performances were exceptional.”
Gill scored a combined 2154 runs at 46.82 including 7 centuries and 10 fifties to to finish as the leading run-getter ahead of teammate Virat Kohli who made 2048 runs.
Pathan agreed that the way Gill piled on the runs indicates India have a bright future. “Shubman Gill, especially for how his year turned out to be in one-day cricket. For a young player, who is the future of Indian cricket, this was a big positive. He peeled of centuries, his average was brilliant. One-day cricket looks a perfect set for him. India’s future is bright,” he said.
However, when asked to pick one player as the top performer of 2023, Gavaskar and Pathan listed out multiple contenders without shortlisting one.
“Performer of the year is a tough one. There are plenty of contenders. Gill himself, Mohammed Shami for the way he bowled (during world cup) and Mohammed Siraj, for the way he bowled in the Asia Cup final, the comeback of Jasprit Bumrah and of course, the absolutely incredible batting from Virat Kohli in the World Cup where he scored three centuries and five fifties in 9-10 innings,” Gavaskar said.
Pathan put Gill, KL Rahul and Mohammed Shami among his three contenders.
“Shubman Gill’s name will be included in the performer of the year but there are 2-3 brilliant contenders including KL Rahul. He average 70 in one-day cricket after returning from an injury. Plus he’s been wicketkeeping as well in Tests. His hundred in Centurion (Test) was a special one. And the third player is Mohammed Shami. He wasn’t bowling at his normal position – came as a first-change bowler. And too make a comeback that makes you the focus of attention was special. Difficult to pick one name,” he said.
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