Shubman Gill will be the highest run-scorer – AB de Villiers’ prediction for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Former South African skipper AB de Villiers has backed Shubman Gill to be the highest run-scorer in the upcoming World Cup. Gill has been in stellar form in 2023, scoring 1230 runs in 20 ODI matches at an unbelievable average of 72.35 and a strike rate of 105.03. Out of his total six ODI centuries, five have come in the ongoing year.

Gill scored a fine knock of 104 runs off just 97 balls in the second ODI against Australia at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore, and added 200 runs with Shreyas Iyer.

The youngster has been giving solid starts to the team along with skipper Rohit Sharma and he would want to carry the good show in the ODI World Cup.

De Villiers said in his latest YouTube video, “Shubman Gill will be the highest run-scorer in the World Cup. He is in great form. I was always going to go with an opening batter—at the very worst, a No. 3 batter.

“I think Shubman is in such form that it would be silly of me to overlook him. He is a great player and has a fantastic technique. He is playing at home in India, yes, there will be pressure but he is my pick.”

The former RCB batter showered praise on Shubman Gill’s traditional technique. AB added that Gill can also change gears in a jiffy and put pressure on the opposition.

“His style and technique are quite simple and basic, as you would generally say for some of the best players of the world. You get some exceptions, like Steve Smith. Shubman Gill is much more traditional, very straightforward technique, and doesn’t try a lot of different things. He can change the gears and put a lot of pressure on the bowlers.

“He has got this incredible ability of picking up the length very quickly; you see that with some of the best players in the world. Shubman is very quickly becoming one of those, one of the best players in all the formats. Very exciting young talent. He is still young but looks like an experienced campaigner already.”

On the other hand, Ravichandran Ashwin bagged four wickets in the first two ODIs against Australia. Ashwin returned with figures of 1-47 in the first ODI whereas he was at his absolute best in Indore, picking 3-41 in seven overs in the second game.

Speaking on Ashwin’s performance, “It is an unbelievable move. Not so good for South Africa and other teams. (He is) Experienced, smart, and plays the big moments really well. He has got incredible skills and understands his game with both bat and ball.

The third ODI of the series will be played at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot on Wednesday.