Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali showered praise on Shubman Gill following his match-winning century in India’s 2025 Champions Trophy clash against Bangladesh on Thursday, February 20.
Gill remained not out at 101 off 129 balls, with nine fours and two sixes, leading India to a successful chase of 229 and securing a six-wicket win to kick off their campaign on a high. He was named Player of the Match for his brilliant performance. On his YouTube channel, Basit described Shubman Gill as a “run machine” and commended him for continuing his exceptional form.
“Gill’s ability to build partnerships after India lost a few wickets was exceptional. He’s been in tremendous form, operating like a run machine. He starts slow, shifting gears as needed, then handles any obstacles—like speed breakers—before going into full throttle when the path is clear,” he said (7:02).
“Virat Kohli’s dismissal was surprising—he went too far back and tried to hit it too hard. Iyer and Axar also got out early, but Gill stood firm, showing he was there to anchor. He played really well and even hit a massive six that made Rohit proud,” he added (3:04).
“I was surprised to see Gautam standing with Jadeja in the middle after the match, discussing the pitch with the curators. This shows they’re already thinking ahead for the next game, even after winning. It’s a positive sign, something I’ve done in Pakistan’s domestic cricket as well. It’s a great approach,” he reflected (4:49).
In the same video, Basit Ali also highlighted an interesting moment post-match, where India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen discussing the pitch with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and the curators. Basit noted Gambhir’s mindset of quickly moving on from their win and focusing on the next challenge, which he found impressive.
