'After Virat Kohli, He'll Probably Be The Next...': Wasim Jafar's Bold Prediction For Young Batter

Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer believes Shubman Gill will be the next big batsman that's going to come out of the Indian camp, after Virat Kohli. 

Shubman Gill, who came out to bat as an opener in the ongoing IND-BAN 1st Test, scored his maiden century in the longest format, three years after Test debut.

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Shubman Gill has established himself as one of the finest emerging cricketers in the modern era. The young batter has managed to make a name for himself in whatever limited opportunities he gets. Gill has almost become a regular in the national team for all three formats and also has a great chance of being picked in India's ODI World Cup 2023 squad, next year.

Gill, who came out to bat as an opener in the ongoing IND-BAN 1st Test, scored his maiden century in the longest format, three years after Test debut. Gill and Pujara's respective tons helped team India take a 254-run lead in the first innings, setting a solid 513-run target for Bangladesh on Day 3.

Meanwhile, former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer made a big prediction regarding Gill. He believes the young opener will be the next big batsman that's going go come out of the Indian camp, after Virat Kohli. 

"Well, it's good that it came. He missed out on a couple of opportunities before but I am happy that the monkey is off his back. He's a class player. After Virat Kohli, he'll probably be the next big batsman that's gonna come out of the Indian camp. He's like a three-format player for me," Jaffer said in a discussion on ESPNCricinfo.

"Shubman Gill has played in the middle order for his state team. He'll get used to it. As an opener, if you are slotted in the middle order, it's not a big deal because you're used to playing spin," he said.

Speaking of his own performance in India vs Bangladesh 1st Test, Gill said: "I personally thought it (maiden Test century) was long time coming for me. Today it was all about getting the difficult situation out of the way. There weren't any different thoughts. For me, it was about how to play according to the field and then be able to score runs. When the bowler came round the wicket, there was gap between third man and point.

"I hadn't played it the whole innings. And once the field came in, I went over the fielders. When lunch happened, I was batting around 13. When I'd faced 100 balls, I was 70-odd, it's about pacing the innings. You got to know when to attack as a batter. (The century) Means a lot to me, my family and my friends who have supported me. Special moment for any player - getting the maiden century here means a lot to me," he said.