Sanjay Manjrekar Hails Shubman Gill And Shreyas Iyer In India’s ODI Win Against England

February 7, 2025: Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has picked Shubman Gill as the future of Indian cricket, following a standout performance in the first ODI against England. Manjrekar was also highly impressed by Shreyas Iyer’s flawless stroke play, rating his aggressive 59 (36) as “10/10” on quality.

India found themselves in a precarious position while chasing 249, with the early wickets of Rohit Sharma and debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal leaving the team at 19/2. However, the duo of Gill and Iyer came to India’s rescue, stabilizing the innings with a solid 94-run partnership.

While Shubman Gill played a composed innings of 87 (96), showcasing his defensive technique, Shreyas Iyer brought an aggressive flair to the chase. His wide range of shots and impeccable stroke play kept India in control of the run chase. Unfortunately, Iyer was dismissed for 59 (36), trapped by Jacob Bethell.

Despite his departure, Iyer’s knock earned Manjrekar’s admiration. He described it as “the best innings” he had seen from the batsman, highlighting Iyer’s flawless shot selection and range. “On quality, it was 10/10,” Manjrekar praised on social media.

With the partnership broken, Shubman Gill took charge, guiding India past the finishing line with calm composure. His blend of defense and attack allowed India to win by four wickets, securing a critical victory in the series opener.

Manjrekar, reflecting on the performances, said of Gill, “We had a term in the team ‘Lambi race ka Ghoda,’ meaning a player who will be around for a long time in Indian cricket. That’s what Shubman Gill is!”

With India taking a crucial 1-0 lead, they now look to seal an unassailable series lead in Cuttack in the next match.