Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Robin Uthappa hailed young opening pair Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal as the modern twins of cricket legends Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar after the Men in Blue won the T20I series in Sri Lanka.
Gill and Jaiswal continue to impress with their formidable partnership at the top of the order, evoking memories of the iconic duo of Tendulkar and Ganguly that revolutionised Indian cricket, and Uthappa could not help but draw a comparison between them.
Robin Uthappa compares Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal to Sourav Ganguly-Sachin Tendulkar after India’s T20I series win in Sri Lanka
Ganguly and Tendulkar, considered the most successful opening pair in ODI history, amassed a staggering 6609 runs in 136 innings, with 21 century partnerships and 23 half-century stands. Their dominance set a benchmark for opening partnerships, and Uthappa believes Gill and Jaiswal are on a similar path, albeit currently in T20I cricket.
The explosive left-right combination of Gill and Jaiswal has injected new life into Team India’s top order after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from T20I cricket. This dynamic duo was instrumental in giving India a brisk start during the recent tours of Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
Jaiswal has emerged as an aggressive force, taking on the bowlers from the start, while Gill’s adaptability has been key in maintaining momentum through the powerplay. Their complementary styles were on full display during the recent T20I series in Sri Lanka.
Uthappa believes Gill and Jaiswal will become the new stalwarts of Indian cricket, continuing the legacy of the legendary Ganguly-Tendulkar partnership as their strategies complemented each other and it was evident in the recent tours of Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
Robin Uthappa said on Sony Sports Network: “I see them, when I watch them, they remind me of Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar playing together, where their games complemented each other. Their strategies complemented each other; that’s what I see when I see these two coming out to bat together.”
Notably, Gill and Jaiswal have made a significant impact in their nine innings together as T20I openers so far, amassing 516 runs at an impressive average of 64.50. Their partnership includes two century stands and two half-century partnerships, proving their ability to deliver consistent and impactful performances.
Robin Uthappa predicts bright ODI future for Yashasvi Jaiswal
Uthappa also expressed confidence in Jaiswal’s future in ODI cricket, saying that the young Indian opener can cement his place in the Indian team if given the opportunity in the 50-overs format of the game.
Despite having played 22 T20I matches, Jaiswal is yet to make his debut in ODI cricket, and Uthappa believes that when the opportunity arises, the young opener will prove his worth in the 50-overs format as well.
He signed off by saying, “I honestly believe that when he (Jaiswal) gets that opportunity in ODI cricket, he will secure that spot very quickly because after Test cricket and T20I cricket, ODI cricket will be much easier for him. Because he will feel that I have all the time in the world to be able to score runs.”