Babar Azam To Enter Cricket World Cup 2023 As World No.1 Batsman, Here's What Shubman Gill Needs To Dethrone Him
Though Shubman Gill's rise in the rankings has been momentarily halted, top-ranked ODI batsman Babar Azam will be getting ready for the World Cup.
In a surprising turn of events, the race to be the best ODI batsman in the world has changed direction. Shubman Gill, a good Indian opener, was suddenly unable to play in the third and final match against Australia.
This means that Pakistani captain Babar Azam will continue to be the best ODI batsman. Gill had shown a lot of promise and was close to unseating Babar Azam, but he will have to wait for another chance to take the prized spot.
Gill's Impressive Form
Shubman Gill had been in great shape lately, and his amazing showing in the Asia Cup 2023 made a lot of noise.
Impressively, he scored 302 runs at an average of 75.50, which stunned fans and cricket experts alike. With play like this, Gill looked like he had a good chance to pass Babar Azam in the ICC ODI rankings.
Chance Lost
With 857 rating points, Babar Azam was in first place before the three-match ODI series against Australia. Gill was only 43 rating points behind him.
Gill's scores of 74 and 104 in the first two ODIs showed that he has what it takes to be ranked number one. Those dreams were dashed, though, when he suddenly didn't show up for the third ODI.
Shubman Gill in ODIs in 2023:
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 25, 2023
70(60), 21(12), 116(97), 208(149), 40*(53), 112(78), 20(31), 0(2), 37(49), 7(16), 34(49), 85(92), 10(32), 67*(62), 58(52), 19(25), 121(133), 27*(19), 74(63) & 104(97). pic.twitter.com/VhJoM3Oe32
Gill's Job on the Indian Team
When Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were not playing, Shubman Gill was supposed to be very important to the Indian batting order.
He was an important part of the team because he could keep the innings going and form strong relationships. Gill did more for the team than just score runs; he was seen as a future star.
Babar Azam's Next Challenge
Shubman Gill's rise in the rankings has been briefly stopped, but the current number one ODI batter, Babar Azam, will be getting ready for the World Cup.
Even though he didn't play very well in the Asia Cup 2023, he is still very important to Pakistan's hopes of winning the tournament and staying at the top of the ICC ODI rankings.