Kris Srikkanth talks about hype around Shubman Gill, says scoring runs only in subcontinent does not help

Add as a preferred source on Google

Kris Srikkanth has given his verdict on the 'hype around' Shubman Gill by saying that the youngster will have to score runs across the world and formats to prove that he is actually the 'next big thing' in Indian cricket.

The former India captain stated that Virat Kohli has earned the tag of 'King' because of his spectacular numbers in Test, ODI and T20I cricket. He said youngsters like Shubman Gill will have to emulate at least 'a bit of' Kohli's stature and consistency to make a name for themselves.

"Shubman Gill has to perform well across the world. Scoring runs in the sub-continent alone does not help. He has to score runs overseas," stated Srikkanth on his YouTube channel.

"Why are we calling Virat Kohli, the King? Look at his record, even in the last year, be it Test matches, ODI or T20Is. Just look at his records. I have nothing more to say. Yes, I accept you cannot produce a Virat Kohli every time. Everybody cannot be producing Virat Kohli (Kohli-like numbers). But you have to try and get to at least a bit of that stature," Srikkanth added.

However, Srikkanth did not totally dismiss the potential of Shubman Gill, saying that the 24-year-old from Punjab should be given some time to prove all the hype around him.

"I think the hype around Shubman Gill, quite a few are saying 'he is the next this, next that.' I think we will have to wait and see. I would not overrate him, I would not want to underestimate him," he added.

Shubman Gill scored two and 26 in the first Test match against South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Johannesburg. In 38 Test innings till date, Gill has amassed 1030 runs at an average of 31.21, with two centuries and four fifties. He has hit a hundred each in India and Bangladesh. Two out of his four Test fifties have come in India. The right-hand batter averages 14.66 in England, and 21.33 in South Africa.