Shubman Gill credits Yuvraj Singh for his brilliant performance in World Cup

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Shubman Gill has revealed that Yuvraj Singh gave him a lot of guidance and tips which helped him during the U-19 World Cup campaign where he scored 372 runs. He has also talked about his century against Pakistan in the semifinal where Rahul Dravid had asked him to bat till the end.

Shubman Gill was one of the main reasons the U-19 Indian team went unbeaten in the World Cup, before eventually lifting the title for the fourth time. Consequently, he was adjudged the Player of the series and the 18-year-old revealed that Yuvraj Singh had been a good guide for him throughout. 

"Yuvi paaji (Yuvraj Singh) gave a lot of guidance when he was at the NCA (National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru). He told me things about on and off the field, he gave me tips and batted along with me," Gill told PTI.

India remained superior throughout the tournament. While in the group stages Gill scored 63 against Australia, which was followed by unbeaten 90-run knock against Zimbabwe, in the quarter-final his 86-run knock was crucial for India to beat Bangladesh. However, his best innings of the lot came in the semis when his magnificent 102-run knock helped India defeat Pakistan by 203 runs.

The Punjab lad revealed that head coach Rahul Dravid had advised him to play until the end and try to build a partnership, which ended up getting him the century.

"There was pressure for the game against Pakistan. Our openers gave a good start and it was going well in the middle. We lost some wickets and Rahul (Dravid) sir advised me to bat till the end and the partnership with Anukul (Roy) was good," he said.

In the final against Australia, Gill could contribute only 31 runs, but this time, Manjot Kalra ensured that India stayed ahead.

Gill’s base price was 20 Lakh in the IPL auction but Kolkata Knight Riders paid INR 1.8 crore after Delhi Daredevils also bid for him. Gill revealed that although he was well aware of the news about his IPL auction, he concentrated only on the World Cup in that moment.

"We were tired as we had finished the match against Bangladesh a day before (the auction). I woke up and got to know that I was picked by KKR. At that time I did not think about the IPL and the focus was on the World Cup," said Gill.

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