Unfair to compare Gill with Sachin and Virat so early in his career - Gary Kirsten

Former India coach Gary Kirsten has seen recent batting greats of India, Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohi, from the closest possible quarters. At Gujarat Titans, the South African is working with Shubman Gill. Cricbuzz tried to pick his brains on India's latest batting sensation. Excerpts from an interview:

You have worked with Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli as a coach. Now you are working with Shubman Gill. Is he in the same league now?

He is a young player who has incredible skill and determination to be one of the best players in the world. It would be unfair to compare him to Sachin and Virat so early in his journey.

What are the qualities that you see in him to say that he could be the next big thing in Indian cricket?

I believe he has the game to successfully play across all three formats for India. You don't often see that, these days, particularly as T20 cricket is developing and progressing so fast.

You saw him in the last IPL and now in the recently-concluded season. He was quite good last year. This year he seems to have taken his batting to another level. What has changed?

First, his confidence and self- belief in knowing what he is capable of. Second is his work ethic and professionalism around how he prepares for the games. And finally, his game sense and how he puts a performance together with his skill sets.

Hardik Pandya recently said the upturn in Shubman Gill's batting from last year's IPL is clarity. What actually is this? Can you please elaborate?

Yes, I would agree with this comment. This season he showed a fantastic understanding of his strengths and how to use them at the right time in every match.

It was earlier thought that the ODI format is best suited to him, more than Tests and T20Is. Now he seems to have changed all those impressions. Is that a correct reading of his evolution?

As I mentioned earlier, he is one of a few players in the world, currently, who has proved he can be equally effective across all three formats. He has got the technique to deal with the best bowling in the world, he plays equally well off the front and back foot and he can score quickly when needed.

One obvious point in every Indian mind is that can he extend this form to the World Test Championship (WTC) final? And what is your advice?

Shubman has all the credentials to become a great player for India, across all the formats. Like any player he will be met with challenges and obstacles; how he handles those and keeps progressing will ultimately determine his long-term success. I would encourage him to keep learning and to engage with those who can offer him trusted counsel.

Is he captaincy material?

I think he has the potential to become a leader. He has a good knowledge and understanding of the game and he gets on well with his teammates.

Finally on the final - it was so near and yet so far for Gujarat Titans. Wasn't it?

We had a great campaign and played good cricket throughout the tournament. The final was a fantastic game of cricket which highlighted the success of IPL 2023. In such a close match there is no guarantee who will win and that is why we all love sport. Both teams had great seasons and I was proud of the way we played cricket this IPL.