Alastair Cook names next superstar of Indian cricket after Virat Kohli

Alastair Cook has made a huge claim on an Indian young batter. The former England captain believes that the right-handed batter would be the next big thing in Indian Cricket after Virat Kohli. As the Indian batter batted well in the 2nd Test against England at Vizag, Cook has made a huge statement on the 24-year-old.  

Cook claimed that Shubman Gill is the future of Indian Cricket. The former England opener felt that Gill batted well in the Vizag test. Cook claimed Gill to have a serious talent. He felt that the way Gill stepped up under pressure was worth praising. Gill scored 33 and 104 respectively at Vizag and took four catches in the 1st innings. 

Cook claimed that all the posters during the World Cup were of Virat and added that in the upcoming days, Gill would be the fans favorite. “Gill played beautifully. He has serious talent… and there was probably quite a lot of pressure on his shoulders. At the World Cup [in India], all the billboards were of Kohli, but he’s the next one they want to step into his shoes,” said Cook. 

Alastair Cook emphasizes on Shubman Gill carrying the burden of the expectations

In his statement, the former England skipper added that it is a huge feat to carry the hopes of billions of fans on one’s shoulders. Cook claimed that the great batters of the past like Virat and Sachin Tendulkar managed to live up to the expectations of the fans in the past. Cook felt that Gill must learn to perform as per the expectations of the fans. 

“That’s a big thing to have the pressure of a country the size of India on your shoulders. As a young talent, that’s something that the likes of Tendulkar and Kohli have dealt with… and he now has to learn to deal with it,” added Cook. Gill was off the field in the 2nd innings of the Vizag Test as he sustained a finger injury. He is likely to be a part of the playing XI at Rajkot.