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The Times of India
The Times of India
Sport
TIMESOFINDIA.COM

Rohit Sharma gives everyone the freedom to play their natural game: Shubman Gill

NEW DELHI: Talking about batting with skipper Rohit Sharma, young Indian batter Shubman Gill said the skipper gives everyone the freedom to play their natural game.

"It feels great to be able to open with him, especially knowing that all the focus is on him," Gill was quoted as saying by the 'ICC'.

"He's someone who likes the other batters to go and just express himself and play the way I want to play the game.

"So in that nature, he gives the players full freedom for how they want to express their game," Gill added.

1/10:​KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer make comeback in India’s Asia Cup squad

2/10:​Rahul & Iyer return after injuries

<p>K L Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are named in India's squad for the Asia Cup beginning August 31 while highly-rated young batter Tilak Varma earned a maiden call-up to the one-day format.<br /></p>Getty Images

3/10:​Rahul & Iyer return after injuries

<p>There were question marks over the fitness of Rahul and Iyer, who are making a comeback after undergoing thigh and back surgeries respectively. Iyer last played in March and Rahul in May.<br /></p>Getty Images

4/10:​Rahul & Iyer return after injuries

<p>While Iyer was declared fully fit by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, questions remain over Rahul's fitness status.<br /></p>Getty Images

5/10:Samson added as a reserve player

<p>Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has been added to the squad as a backup for Rahul who has developed a niggle recently, informed Agarkar after announcing the squad here.<br /><br /><br /></p>AFP

6/10:India open their campaign against Pakistan on September 2

<p>India will open their campaign against Pakistan on September 2 and Rahul is likely to miss out due to his niggle.</p>

7/10:​Prasidh makes a comeback

<p>Pacer Prasidh Krishna, who made a comeback from injury with the ongoing series in Ireland, has also been included in the Asia Cup squad.<br /></p>Getty Images

8/10:​Maiden ODI call-up for Tilak Varma

<p>Tilak Varma has made the cut on the back of an impressive run in his maiden T20 series in the West Indies. The 20-year-old is currently with the T20 squad in Ireland.<br /><br /><br /></p>ANI

9/10:​Chahal’s omission

<p>Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was a notable omission from the squad, leaving India with only one wrist spinner in Kuldeep Yadav. Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja are the other spin bowling options.<br /></p>AFP

10/10:​India’s pace battery

<p>Hardik Pandya, who has been named vice-captain, and Shardul Thakur, are the two pace bowling all-rounders while Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammad Shami are the specialist fast bowlers.<br /></p>AP
KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer make comeback in India’s Asia Cup squad

Gill added that his and Rohit's contrasting batting styles make their opening partnerships successful.

The partnership between the two openers is likely to play a vital role in the Men in Blues' success in the Asia Cup and the World Cup.

In just nine innings, Gill and Rohit have amassed 685 runs while batting together in ODIs at an average of 76.11.

"I think because his (Rohit's) targeted areas are a bit different (to mine). He loves to go aerial in the Powerplay," Gill was quoted as saying by the 'ICC'.

"And I'm someone who likes to find the gaps and keep getting those boundaries, and he's someone who likes to hit sixes. So I think that combination works well," he added.

India begin their Asia Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 2 in Kandy, and are slated to take on Australia in their Word Cup opener on October 8 in Chennai.

(With PTI inputs)

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