New Delhi [India], April 7 (ANI): Ex-cricketers Mark Boucher and Aakash Chopra lauded Gujarat Titans' captain Shubman Gill for his exemplary leadership during a match-winning performance that led his team to a dominant seven-wicket win over the struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad in the current season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Their comments came during their discussion on Match Centre Live on JioHotstar.

Gujarat achieved a hat-trick of victories in the current edition following their win over Sunrisers in Hyderabad. They chased down a modest 153-run target efficiently, finishing well before running out of overs.

As Gujarat maintains its commanding presence and steadily advances toward securing a playoff spot, the previous Mumbai Indians mentor Boucher expressed his admiration for Gill’s composure during the pursuit.

"At present, things look quite promising for them, and this victory will certainly boost their confidence even further. Winning games away from home has become increasingly challenging nowadays, particularly when they secure such an impressive win. Their performance with the bat was highly convincing—they outplayed the Sunrisers significantly. Although they faced some difficulties initially, their captain (Shubman Gill) stepped up magnificently and delivered a terrific leadership display," commented Boucher during his appearance on Kuhl Fans Match Centre Live via JioHotstar.

"He didn’t appear to be panicked at all, despite losing a few wickets nearby. The focus shouldn't be solely on the run rate; instead, it’s crucial to consider the total runs scored and his composure during batting. This performance was exemplary for a captain, and he will surely be thrilled with this result, particularly playing outside his home ground," he concluded.

Despite early wickets taken by Mohammed Shami and Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins against Gujarat’s top-order, Gill stayed unfazed and showcased an extensive range of strokes from his repertoire. He hit the match-winning runs while remaining not out on 61 off 43 balls, achieving a commendable strike rate of 141.86.

As Gill secured GT’s third consecutive victory and left Hyderabad astonished, ex-cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra feels that the significance of such an innings in T20 matches tends to be underestimated.

"You must act as the anchor. Often, we underestimate the significance of having an anchoring player during a T20 match due to all the aggressive shots being executed. Particularly when setting the score initially, your mindset shifts towards chasing down a target over 220 runs. However, later in the game, particularly after losing quick wickets while pursuing a lower total and facing a surface that’s offering some assistance, such a controlled performance becomes crucial — one where every shot remains grounded,” he explained.

In providing a comprehensive assessment of Gill's development as a batsman in the format, Aakash highlighted the inclusion of the sweep shot to his repertoire recently. This new skill enables him to excel at the top of the order.

"You shouldn't take risks frequently. Shubman Gill is progressing rapidly. He has incorporated the sweep shot into his repertoire — a technique he previously did not employ. Additionally, he executes a splendid inside-out stroke beautifully. Furthermore, it’s important to remember that their gain extended beyond just those two points from this match,” he concluded. (ANI)