Shubman Gill, a Team India batsman, has remarked that Virat Kohli’s incredible consistency and enthusiasm for the game motivates him much. He said that every time the Indian hitting machine enters the middle, he does something spectacular.
On Wednesday, in the first 2023 World Cup semi-final at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Virat Kohli scored 117 runs off 113 balls against New Zealand. He surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record of 49 hundreds with the ton, becoming the first hitter to score 50 ODI tons.
The hit came in a 70-run triumph for India, putting the Men in Blue in the final of the 2023 World Cup. Shubman Gill was questioned about his experience playing with Kohli at a post-match news conference.
Shubman Gill praised the star batter, saying:
“You know, every time he comes on to the park, he does something special and just how consistently he’s been able to do it for the past 10-15 years is what is really inspiring. And I think, for me, it’s not so much about the skill that he has, but it’s more about the hunger when he goes there and the intensity with which he plays the game is what inspires me. And to be able to have that consistently for as long as he’s been doing it is what really inspires me.”
Shubman Gill
In his brilliant performance against the Kiwis, Kohli hit nine fours and two sixes. Shreyas Iyer hit 105 off 70 balls, while Gill provided 80 runs as India batted first and made 397/4. In response, New Zealand produced 327.
“We know our roles quite well” – Shubman Gill
Following their victory on Wednesday, Team India advanced to the 2023 World Cup final. The hosts are still the only team unbeaten in the competition after winning the match for the tenth time in a row.
Regarding the key to the group’s extraordinary achievement, Gill stated:
“This team, I think we have been playing together for like the past one year or so and I think we know our roles quite well and I think that has been the difference. For me, honestly, It’s been our bowling attack, the way our bowling attack has bowled. They have always either defended the total or restricted the other team to a below par score. So, I think that’s been the difference.”
Shubman Gill
On Sunday, November 19, India will face the winner of the second semi-final between South Africa and Australia in the 2023 World Cup final in Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.