Shastri compares the famous Sachin-Virat moment from the 2011 World Cup to the Kohli-Gill stand against Sri Lanka.
On Thursday, there was a sense of nostalgic at the Wankhede. There was something about the location that made me think of that glorious World Cup final night in 2011. The event began with the unveiling of Sachin Tendulkar’s monument at the stadium. The great cricketer was there for the momentous occasion and subsequently saw India play the very same team they had beaten 12 years prior at the same location: Sri Lanka. But for Ravi Shastri, who was in the commentators box at the time, the most memorable event was the incredible 189-run second-wicket stand that Virat Kohli and young Shubman Gill shared. The legendary moment between Sachin and Kohli from the 2011 World Cup was brought back to memory by the partnership that saved the contest.
In the 2011 Mumbai final, India’s pursuit of 275 did not get off to the ideal start. Virender Sehwag was out for a duck in the second delivery as Lasith Malinga struck twice with the new ball, while Sachin was bowled out for just 18 runs in 14 deliveries. The 22-year-old Kohli, who is considered regarded as the next great thing in world cricket, entered the pavilion as the opener returned it to an electrifying Wankhede crowd. Sachin stopped the boy as he was about to enter. “When I first stepped in, we had a little conversation. In a video that Royal Challengers Bangalore released last year, Kohli later recalled what he had said: “Build a partnership.”
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Kohli followed suit identically. Alongside Gautam Gambhir, he stitched an 83-run stand that ultimately saved the match, playing a second fiddle on his way to a 35-run innings as India finally chased down the mark with 10 balls remaining.
Shastri, speaking with Star Sports on Thursday, saw the same thing happen as India overcame Rohit Sharma’s early loss to produce a winning score of 357 for 8. Kohli and Gill, who is regarded as the former’s genuine heir, fashioned a 189-run partnership.
“Gill is Gen Next”: Shastri asserts that Kohli has handed the reins to Gill, just as Tendulkar did.
“Next in line is Gill. Upon leaving the 2011 World Cup, Tendulkar spoke with Kohli, the player who came in after him, about the way the pitch was playing. Then, we witness Gill and Kohli batting together today, which is Gen Next. “He is the king after these guys leave,” Shastri remarked.
Nasser Hussain, the former captain of England who participated in the conversation, concurred with Shastri, acknowledging that Gill scored the innings’ first few runs with ease when the Wankhede conditions were a little challenging.
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“Shubman Gill will be in existence for quite a while. Like Rohit, he makes it look so effortless to bat. Furthermore, as both Ravi Shastri and Shreyas Iyer mentioned in their interviews, it wasn’t simple at first. He made it appear so simple and at ease even though the ball was stalling and sticking. He’s likely to be the big star for a long time,” he declared.
