Hashim Amla, the former captain of South Africa, has praised Indian opener Shubman Gill, calling him the “next big thing” in international cricket after an impressive start to the Champions Trophy 2025. Gill has already made headlines by being India’s top performer in One Day Internationals (ODIs) this year, scoring a century against Bangladesh and contributing 46 runs against Pakistan in Dubai on February 23.
At just 25 years old, Gill currently holds the title of the No. 1 batter in ODIs. Amla is optimistic about Gill’s future, suggesting he could join the likes of Rishabh Pant and Ryan Rickelton on the path to superstardom in cricket. Amla noted that it’s common for young talents to emerge with strong performances that capture attention.
In an exclusive interview, Amla explained, “For India, you have Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant has been around for some time. Over in South Africa, Ryan Rickelton has also been performing well. It’s natural to see a couple of players from each country break through to the international scene every few years.”
Gill has teamed up with Rohit Sharma as an opening pair for India, and together they have made a significant impact on the game, amassing 1,974 runs in 29 matches at an impressive average of 70.5. Amla emphasized that their partnership, complemented by Virat Kohli batting at number three, makes India a formidable team.
Amla believes both India and South Africa have strong chances of winning the Champions Trophy this year, praising India’s consistent performance over the past 15 years. “India has an excellent chance with their fantastic team,” he said. He also expressed confidence in South Africa’s balanced squad, hoping they can secure a top-four spot and aim for victory.
Looking ahead, India is set to face New Zealand on March 2 as they continue their Champions Trophy journey.
