IPL 2023: Shubman Gill is not the crowned prince, he has already become the king, says Aakash Chopra

Virat Kohli is well known as the king whereas Shubman Gill has earned the sobriquet of Prince for his consistent performances in the recent past. However, former Indian opener Aakash Chopra feels the youngster has already become the king.

Gill has been in fantastic form in IPL 2023 as he has played a key role in taking Gujarat Titans to the final of the tournament. The 23-year-old is the leading run-getter of the season with 851 runs in 16 matches at a splendid average of 60.79 and a blistering strike rate of 156.43.

Meanwhile, the GT opener smashed a blistering knock of 129 runs off just 60 balls with the help of seven fours and 10 sixes in the second qualifier against Mumbai Indians at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Friday to help his team win by a huge margin of 62 runs.

Gill has scored three centuries and he has batted at the top of his game. The right-hander has looked invincible in the ongoing season and he has scored consistently, especially while playing at his home ground in Ahmedabad.

“This guy (Gill) is batting differently. He is not the crowned prince, he has already become the king. Can he break Kohli’s 900-plus season’s record? He will have to again score 122 runs for that. He has struck three centuries in his last four innings,” said Chopra in a video on his YouTube channel ahead of the final on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli scored a mammoth 973 runs in IPL 2016 for Royal Challengers Bangalore, and the renowned commentator shed light if the youngster can break Kohli’s record.

Chopra feels if Gill can negate Deepak Chahar’s spell in the final against CSK, the youngster will increase his chances of playing a big knock.

“The only problem that he has is the law of averages. Other than that, no one can stop this guy. If he can manage the new ball at the start, which he can do, Deepak Chahar is the only threat, but if he manages him, this player will hit again. He is an extremely mighty player,”

GT will face CSK in the IPL 2023 final on Monday at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.